Serbia arrests police over excessive violence against student protesters

The police officers are accused of having used excessive force and violence against student protesters during anti-government protests last year. Several police officers have been arrested for allegedly using excessive force against students during anti-government protests in Belgrade last year, the Interior Ministry said. According to the ministry's statement, Serbian authorities arrested on Wednesday eight serving police officers and one former officer at the time of the offence on suspicion of abuse and torture. The nine suspects "used force and threats to inflict severe pain and suffering on several injured people" while on duty in August 2025. Their actions were reportedly intended "to obtain information, intimidate and unlawfully punish them," the statement said. The alleged incident took place at a garage inside a government building in Belgrade. Although the arrested were identified only by their initials and year of birth, Serbian state broadcaster RTS reported that Igor Zmiric, commander of the country's special anti-terrorist unit, was among those detained. Student activist Nikolina Sindjelic, who was previously detained during the anti-government protests in August, had accused Zmiric of kicking her while she was lying on the floor of the garage. At the end of last month, a student-led movement won the country's parliamentary elections, defeating Serbia's long-standing leader Aleksandar Vučić. The Student List, which emerged from months of student protests, rapidly transformed into the country's most important political force. The protests first began in 2024, following a deadly disaster at a recently renovated railway station in November of that year. The tragedy had sparked widespread demonstrations and scrutiny of government accountability and corruption. Student groups repeatedly accused police of brutality in response to the demonstrations.