Protests over alleged political pressure on universities drew thousands of students and civic activists to Novi Pazar, Serbia, on 21 December, with demonstrators opposing disciplinary measures against students and academics involved in earlier protests.
Organisers said more than 200 students had their university status revoked and around 30 professors dismissed, measures they say were linked to participation in anti-government protests.
Supporters of the movement have criticised the actions as repression.
Protesters called for the resignation of the governing board of the State University of Novi Pazar and the appointment of a new rector.
The demonstrations form part of a broader protest movement triggered by the collapse of a railway station roof in the northern city of Novi Sad on 1 November 2024, according to local media.
Sixteen people were killed in the incident, which sparked nationwide protests over corruption, governance failures and public safety.
Participants in Novi Pazar held a moment of silence for the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy and carried flags representing towns and universities, presenting the rally as part of a wider campaign for academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
Protests have since drawn tens of thousands of supporters in Belgrade and other cities, expanding beyond university campuses into broader anti-government demonstrations, including calls for greater transparency and accountability.
The administration of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has denied accusations of political interference in universities or the suppression of dissent.
Critics, however, say longstanding problems such as corruption and restrictions on media and institutional freedoms continue to fuel public anger.
The student movement began with blockades and sit-ins at university faculties following the Novi Sad incident and has since become one of the most sustained waves of protest in Serbia in recent years.
The rallies have drawn attention from regional and international observers, who have expressed concern about democratic backsliding and civil liberties.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phas...
A freight train carrying Russian grain and fertiliser has departed Azerbaijan for Armenia, continuing transit flows across the South Caucasus....
China has passed a new law aimed at ensuring its most vulnerable citizens are not left without support....
Tashkent hosted the INMerge Innovation Summit Roadshow, bringing together start-ups, investors and technology leaders to explore the future of Cent...
A European Parliament resolution on Armenia is stirring debate beyond Brussels, with its wording raising concerns in Azerbaijan as peace talks gath...
China has passed a new law aimed at ensuring its most vulnerable citizens are not left without support.
Tashkent hosted the INMerge Innovation Summit Roadshow, bringing together start-ups, investors and technology leaders to explore the future of Central Asia’s digital economy and regional cooperation.
Azerbaijan–Armenia border talks that have produced a draft text on delimitation are “very important”, an ex-diplomat and international energy leader has said, urging leaders to resist ultranationalist pressure and negotiate fairly.
The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, visited Tehran to address “urgent humanitarian concerns” following the U.S.–Israel war on Iran, according to an ICRC delegation statement.
A report published by Minval Politika has raised new questions over alleged efforts by Luis Moreno Ocampo to shape international pressure against Azerbaijan and influence political dynamics around Armenia.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
China has passed a new law aimed at ensuring its most vulnerable citizens are not left without support.
China has warned the U.S. that Taiwan will dominate next month’s summit in Beijing, raising pressure on Washington and concern in Taipei over any shift in long-standing American policy.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
From Thursday, 1 May, goods from every African country with diplomatic ties to China will be able to enter the Chinese market without paying import duties.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 30th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment