Amid growing tensions following the arrest of student Stefan Tomić, MP Srđan Milivojević has accused Serbian authorities of escalating political repression by branding protesters as terrorists while allowing armed figures like Milan Radoičić to move freely.
“The regime, paralyzed by fear of losing power, no longer chooses its means,” said Democratic Party leader and MP Srđan Milivojević, reacting to what he calls a renewed campaign of political persecution and intimidation against students and citizens involved in recent protests.
Referring specifically to the case of Stefan Tomić, a University of Belgrade student who was arrested and reportedly charged with terrorism, Milivojević claims the move is part of a broader pattern of repression, recalling similar accusations made before the March 15 protests.
“Targeting and accusing students of terrorism—this time Stefan Tomić—only confirms how terrified the coward from Andrićev Venac has become,” said Milivojević, using a pejorative nickname for President Aleksandar Vučić.
He further accused the authorities of committing unlawful acts, citing the use of “sonic weapons” against peaceful demonstrators in March.
“We already saw this ahead of the March 15 protest, when students were also accused of terrorism and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order. Vučić then personally ordered and executed a terrorist act by firing banned sonic weapons at his own citizens. He is continuing down the well-trodden radical path of violence.”
Milivojević posed a direct question to President Vučić, the police, and the prosecution:
“As an MP who has sworn to protect human and minority rights and civil liberties, I ask: how can students defending the Constitution be labeled as terrorists, but not those who fired sonic weapons at peaceful citizens?”
“I ask the police and prosecutors: how can students be terrorists, but not Milan Radoičić, who moves freely throughout Serbia with a heavily armed paramilitary group and provokes armed incidents?”
He warned law enforcement about the legal consequences of what he describes as abuse of Article 309 of the Criminal Code (terrorism), citing Article 132, which punishes unlawful deprivation of liberty with up to five years in prison.
“This kind of unlawful behavior brings not only disciplinary and civil consequences, but ultimately international legal responsibility.”
Milivojević concluded his statement with a warning:
“The time of accountability is coming—unstoppably—with Freedom. Think about that.”
Stefan Tomić Arrested
Stefan Tomić, a student at the Faculty of Physical Education, is being held by Serbia’s Anti-Terrorism Department, his lawyer Ljiljana Borović confirmed to N1. A protest in his support was held late Monday in front of the Palace of Serbia. Although a morning gathering was initially planned for Tuesday, it was canceled at the request of Tomić’s family.
Nikola Lončarević, a fellow student from BAPUSS Academy, said Tomić was “abducted” by two plainclothes men who identified themselves as police officers but failed to show ID. “They let his female colleague go, but forcibly took Stefan into a car,” he said.
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade announced today that Tomić has been detained for up to 48 hours on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of inciting a violent change of the constitutional order.
They stated that he is suspected of allegedly posting a message in a WhatsApp group regarding a protest scheduled for June 28 in Belgrade, in which he mentions plans for a violent break-in and blockade of several institutions, including the buildings of RTS, Pink, and Informer television stations.
Students in protest—self-described as “students in blockade”—announced they will continue demonstrations on June 28. In an open letter to the government, they issued an ultimatum with two demands, warning that protests will escalate if they are not met.
Dean: 15 More Students from Faculty of Physical Education Detained
Meanwhile, Voja Radovanović, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education in Belgrade, told FoNet that in addition to Stefan Tomić, about 15 more students from the University of Belgrade were detained in recent days. He sees this as a form of pressure and intimidation.
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