Vesna Mališić, editor-in-chief of the weekly Radar, warned that Serbia is entering a phase of intensified repression, targeting not only public dissent but also the very existence and basic freedoms of citizens.
Speaking on N1’s “Dan uživo”, Mališić described the current government’s approach as maximizing force against resistance, stating: “When the opposition yields, they stop; when they see they can overcome it, they use maximum force.”
She criticized the police intervention at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, describing it as part of a broader trend of systematic purges and intimidation:
“Since August, street-level repression decreased, but deeper forms continued through dismissals, purges, and consolidating control over police, military, and intelligence services. From autumn onward, the prosecutor’s offices and universities became the next targets, with fully equipped police cordons now enforcing measures on campuses in ways never seen before,” Mališić said.
Mališić emphasized that the dismissal of Professor Jelena Kleut was not only a personal retaliation but also a message to the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, which had resisted government pressure. She called it a symbolic attempt by authorities to “crush” Novi Sad, a city she described as traumatized yet resilient.
She further warned that the current repression serves as a warning to all faculty members and collaborators, particularly those seeking promotions or tenure, who may face consequences if they oppose government directives.
Mališić also highlighted broader political maneuvers, noting that the restructuring of the Organized Crime and High-Tech Crime Prosecutor’s Offices and attempts to control social media platforms indicate an effort to consolidate government influence over public discourse.
She called on universities and the academic community to respond proactively:
“The university cannot wait for the dismissals to spread. Professor Kleut was punished not for her teaching, but for supporting students. The authorities are using Novi Sad as a test case to suppress resistance nationwide.”
Mališić criticized the statement by Dean Milivoj Alanović, describing it as shameful, and warned that academic institutions must act to defend their staff and principles.
She concluded by condemning the government’s tactics as turning Serbia into a reality show, highlighting that “the world sees that serious, ugly things are happening here.”
