Belgrade students protest as university rector faces charges

Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.

Students in Belgrade are protesting outside a police station as authorities question the rector of the University of Belgrade, who faces charges of abuse of office for backing student-led anti-government demonstrations that have shaken Serbia’s political landscape in recent months.

Rector Vladan Djokic has denied the allegations, saying they target not only him but the broader academic community that has tried for months to support and formalize student demands with the backing of academics and citizens.

The protests began in November after a train station roof collapse in Novi Sad killed 16 people. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with daily rallies spreading across the country and becoming the most significant challenge to President Aleksandar Vucic’s rule in years. Protesters have accused the government of deep-rooted corruption and incompetence that they say led to the tragedy.

Earlier this week, Vucic’s SNS-led government was replaced with a new cabinet intended to address the protesters' concerns. However, analysts have described it as a continuation of the old government, with Vucic expected to retain significant control.

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