Students Demand Justice Amid Growing Intimidation
The student protests in Serbia have entered a critical phase, as allegations emerge of the government leveraging the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) to intimidate those demanding justice. Ahmed Delimeđac, legal counsel for Lazar Stojaković, a prominent student leader, condemned the use of so-called “friendly conversations” by the BIA, labeling them as unlawful and a veiled form of coercion.
Suppressing the Voices of Change
Stojaković, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences (FON), has become a leading voice in the protests. United under the banner of justice, students are demanding transparency over the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station and accountability for the tragic canopy collapse that claimed 15 lives.
“We won’t stop the blockades until every demand is met. We are asking for basic things—a Serbia where accountability exists and justice is served. We have united for justice. Many of us thought we were alone in this fight, but we discovered we are thousands strong—on every campus, in every city. Together, we demand the truth,” Stojaković stated.
BIA’s “Friendly Conversations” Under Scrutiny
The controversy escalated when Stojaković among other students, was summoned by the BIA for a “friendly conversation.” Advocate Ahmed Delimeđac, who accompanied him, criticized the agency’s actions. “It’s absurd for a secret service to target citizens advocating for justice. These conversations lack legal significance in any criminal proceeding. Advising individuals to attend such meetings without legal counsel is dangerous,” he warned, interpreting the summoning of parents as an additional form of pressure.” he asserted.
Delimeđac recounted the chaos surrounding the canceled meeting. “We were kept waiting for 45 minutes, only to be informed through Lazar’s father—not officially—that the meeting was postponed indefinitely,” he said for N1.
A System Designed to Suppress
Critics argue that the government’s use of intelligence services to confront peaceful protests reflects a systemic issue. “This system has been suppressing hope for decades,” Stojaković remarked. “But now, the people are waking up. Our resilience has given them hope for a better future.”
Responding to President Aleksandar Vučić’s offer of housing loans for students, Stojaković dismissed it as a distraction from systemic issues. “Who would trust a house built or renovated by this administration after what happened in Novi Sad?” he remarked.
Unyielding in Their Demands
Despite these challenges, students remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice. Blockades continue across 70 faculties nationwide, with protesters vowing not to relent until their demands are fully met.
“This is more than a protest—it’s a movement for accountability and justice. We want a Serbia where the law applies to everyone equally,” Stojaković emphasized, calling the government’s intimidation tactics a sign of desperation.
