European parliamentarian Vladimir Prebilič visited Novi Sad following a tragic incident at the local railway station, where 16 people lost their lives. The visit included meetings at the university campus, encounters with the so-called “Novi Sad Six”, and discussions with dismissed professors from Novi Sad and the University of Novi Pazar.
Prebilič laid wreaths at the site of the tragedy, expressing deep emotional impact. “It hits hard, especially if you imagine yourself as a parent and see these young lives lost, meant to lead our nation,” he said.
At the university campus, the visit was marked by four police vans stationed in the academic space, reflecting tensions between authorities and the academic community. Meetings with professors were conducted in a controlled setting offered by the dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, ensuring open dialogue despite a tense environment.
Prebilič sent a strong message of support to professors and students, urging authorities to stop targeting the academic community. “The academic community has always been, and will remain, essential for societal development,” he stated.
Participants highlighted police brutality and unjust dismissals as major concerns. Professor Jelena Kleut noted the repeated use of administrative measures to suppress dissenting voices, a pattern observed at multiple universities. Former professor Aleksandra Popin emphasized the importance of amplifying their voices through EU mechanisms, even if immediate results are modest.
The outcomes and insights from these meetings will be included in a report by the European delegation, ensuring that local concerns reach a broader international audience.
