BELGRADE, Serbia — A driver drove their vehicle into a gathering of protesters, injuring a young woman severely during a student-led demonstration in downtown Belgrade on Thursday. This event was part of ongoing protests throughout Serbia that arose after the collapse of a railway station canopy in the northern region of the country in November, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals.
Following the incident, the driver sped away, leaving the young woman on the ground with significant head injuries after she was reportedly thrown onto the car’s roof before landing. Local media outlet N1 stated that she was seriously hurt and was immediately taken to a medical facility. Although she remained conscious during her transport, state broadcaster RTS reported that her condition has stabilized.
Police confirmed that they have apprehended the driver and are pressing charges of attempted murder. There have been several instances of assaults during these protests, but this marks the first such incident that has resulted in serious injury to a protester.
In response to the incident, hundreds of university students gathered for a spontaneous protest outside the law faculty in the heart of Belgrade, voicing their anger and support for the injured woman with chants such as “Killers” and “You will not be allowed to run us over.” The students later proceeded to march towards the state prosecutor’s office, while another group assembled in Novi Sad, the city affected by the canopy’s collapse.
Expressing their concern over the altercation, the European Union’s mission in Serbia released a statement on X, emphasizing the fundamental importance of protecting the right to peaceful assembly.
Across Serbia, residents have been participating in silent protests daily, pausing for 15 minutes to honor the victims of the canopy collapse and to demand accountability for those responsible. These traffic disruptions, occurring daily at 11:52 a.m., mark the exact time of the tragedy that befell people below the canopy as it gave way.
The railway station had undergone two renovations in recent years, but widespread suspicions of corruption suggest that negligence may have compromised the construction quality. This incident has become a focal point for rising dissatisfaction with the increasingly authoritarian governance of President Aleksandar Vu?i?, as citizens call for democratic reforms.
In reaction to the protests, Vu?i? has claimed that foreign entities are financing the student movements to orchestrate a coup against him. He has also supported those in opposition to the ongoing protests, arguing that the consistent blockades disrupt normalcy and hinder the freedom of movement for citizens.
