Urgent Call: End Unlawful Arrests of Serbian Activists

On March 14, 2025, in Novi Sad (Serbia), police arrested six activists, including prominent members of the PSG party: Marija Vasić, Mladen Cvijić, Srđan Đurić, Lado Jovović, Davor Stefanović, and student activist Lazar Dinić. Marija Vasić is currently on a hunger strike.

These individuals have been detained for over two months on serious, unfounded charges of attempting to overthrow the government—allegedly based on a conversation held one day earlier regarding their participation in a peaceful student protest scheduled for March 15, 2025, in Belgrade.

Among those arrested are two university professors and four students, all active participants in Serbia’s peaceful student protest movement. These activists are deeply involved in their local communities and are recognized public figures due to their social and political engagement.

The charges reportedly rely solely on an audio recording of a private conversation—apparently obtained illegally—and video footage disseminated by state-controlled media. The official narrative, promoted by government representatives, claims the activists were plotting a coup—an assertion that is utterly implausible given their profiles as young, non-violent individuals with no criminal records.

The legal proceedings in this case have been marked by numerous violations of due process. This situation constitutes not only a direct assault on the rights of the arrested individuals but also a broader threat to democracy and human rights in Serbia.

EL President Walter Baier calls on Serbian authorities to release the six activists immediately and urges the European Commission to pressure the Serbian government to secure their release.

On March 14, 2025, in Novi Sad (Serbia), police arrested six activists, including prominent members of the PSG party: Marija Vasić, Mladen Cvijić, Srđan Đurić, Lado Jovović, Davor Stefanović, and student activist Lazar Dinić. Marija Vasić is currently on a hunger strike.

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