Following university students’ protests and blockades, a group of self-organized high school students in Belgrade — calling themselves „Students in Blockade“ — have expressed solidarity with Serbian pupils and citizens in Kosovo in response to a recent incident in North Mitrovica. The statement, signed by students from several Belgrade grammar and vocational schools, condemned what they described as a “brutal use of force” by the Kosovo Police during the end-of-school celebrations in Kosovska Mitrovica, during which one student was lightly injured.
“We strongly condemn the brutal use of force by the so-called ‘Kosovo Police’ (KPS), who injured a student during the high school graduation celebration in Kosovska Mitrovica,” the students wrote. They referred to the situation as a „national humiliation for the Republic of Serbia.“
The students pointed to a series of moves by Pristina in recent years which, they claim, represent a gradual takeover of administrative and security functions in the four Serb-majority municipalities in the north of Kosovo. They argued that the lack of timely and effective response from both official Belgrade and the international community has contributed to what they describe as the imposition of unilateral governance — a development they say raises serious concerns.
They further stated that institutions of the Republic of Serbia — including municipal offices, ministry branches, healthcare, education and cultural institutions, as well as public enterprises — have been systematically dismantled. This, they say, has led to significant material damage through property confiscations and represents a broader erosion of Serbian sovereignty.
The group also criticized the discontinuation of the Serbian dinar in Kosovo, which they argue has endangered the payment of salaries and pensions. Additional concerns listed include the banning of imports of Serbian goods and medicines, the annulment of Serbian-issued driver’s licenses, license plates, and personal ID cards in the four northern municipalities. According to their statement, the operations of the Serbian Post Office, telecom providers, banks, petrol stations, and cultural institutions such as libraries have been systematically obstructed or shut down.
They also recalled the takeover of social welfare institutions and municipal buildings, noting that:
“Mayors from Albanian parties were appointed despite receiving only 3% of the vote, due to the election boycott by the Serbian population.”
“Redirect energy toward resisting terror, not repressing youth”
In their final remarks, the students issued a direct appeal to the Serbian government, urging it to take decisive action.
“We demand that the institutions of the Republic of Serbia immediately use all available political, diplomatic, and legal mechanisms to pressure the international community to clearly condemn and prevent further acts of violence against Serbian children and the population in the southern province. The use of force against underage students in Kosovska Mitrovica is an open violation of fundamental human rights and a gross affront to the values of democracy, justice, and peace,” they stated.
They also called on Belgrade to redirect its focus:
“We urge the government to finally channel the energy it often directs toward internal groups — students, pupils, and citizens — into genuine resistance against terror and unlawful acts that undermine the country’s sovereignty, constitutional order, and national dignity.”
The statement was signed by students from: Third Belgrade Gymnasium, Mathematical Gymnasium, Fifth Belgrade Gymnasium, Fourteenth Belgrade Gymnasium, SMŠ Stanković, Aviation Academy, Zemun Gymnasium, Ninth Gymnasium “Mihailo Petrović Alas,” Tenth Gymnasium “Mihajlo Pupin,” First Belgrade Gymnasium, ETŠ “Nikola Tesla,” “Saint Sava” Gymnasium, Fourth Belgrade Gymnasium, Sixth Belgrade Gymnasium, Philological Gymnasium, and the Sports Gymnasium.
Just one day earlier, university students participating in protests and road blockades across Serbia also condemned the incident in North Mitrovica and expressed solidarity with Kosovo Serbs.
“Violence against one of us is violence against all of us. We stand in solidarity with all our compatriots facing injustice,” they said.
A similar message was echoed at a protest walk organized by students in Novi Sad on Sunday, who also aimed to show support for high school graduates in Kosovo.
“You are not alone — we are here with you, and we want our voices to be heard all the way to Kosovska Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposavić, Gračanica, Klokot, Štrpce, Gora, and every Serbian enclave. We stand with all minorities in Kosovo and Metohija and call on international institutions to protect them and ensure safety for all,” one student said.
Background info
Two days after a Kosovo Police officer was filmed restraining a Serbian high school student by the neck during graduation celebrations in North Mitrovica, Kosovo Police Director Gazmend Hoxha confirmed the officer’s conduct is under investigation. At a press conference in Pristina, Hoxha presented images from the incident and denied any use of excessive force, claiming the student was uninjured and that red marks on his neck were from a marker — part of a graduation tradition. He also revealed the officer has received death threats and was relocated for safety, calling Serbia’s arrest warrant for the officer an act of political persecution.
The incident sparked backlash across communities and institutions, with Serbian authorities calling for an international investigation and suspension of support for Kosovo Police. While Kosovo officials maintain the officer acted to prevent escalation following provocations by students, critics argue the physical treatment was disproportionate. The case continues to draw sharp divisions between Belgrade and Pristina, as international scrutiny mounts.
Read more:
Kosovo Police Chief: Officer Who Restrained Student Under Investigation, Received Death Threats
Musliu After Mitrovica Incident: Serbian Structures Led by Radoičić Fuel Youth Hatred and Blind..
Sveçla Accuses Serbian Media of Spreading Propaganda Over Mitrovica Incident
Kosovo Police Deny Reports of Protests and Escalation During Graduation Parade in North Mitrovica
Serb NGOs Condemn Police Conduct During Graduation Celebration
Why Did a Police Officer Grab a Graduate by the Neck in North Mitrovica?
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