The protests, which followed a concrete canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024 that left 16 people dead, ultimately resulted in the ouster of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in a snap election on 25 October. The interior ministry said the suspects, who belonged to an elite unit, tortured and intimidated several people detained in the garage of the government compound on 14–15 August 2025. “By the use of force and threats, (they) inflicted great pain and severe suffering on a larger number of persons, intending to obtain information from them and intimidating and unlawfully punishing them,” the statement said. During the protests, police deployed teargas, crowd-control vehicles and stun grenades. Dozens of students and activists have accused police of excessive force that caused injuries and psychological trauma. Students, activists, opposition politicians and rights watchdogs have accused former president Aleksandar Vučić and the SNS of political violence, pressure against media, ties to organised crime and rampant corruption. Vučić and his allies deny the allegations.
Serbia detains police officers over alleged use of force against protesters
Nine active officers and one former officer detained over alleged excessive force during 2025 protests
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- The arrests mark the first legal accountability for police violence during the anti-corruption protests that reshaped Serbia's government.
- The case will test whether the incoming government is willing to investigate abuses by the previous regime.
- For Serbia, a European Union candidate, addressing such allegations is key to demonstrating commitment to rule of law.
Background
Serbia, a candidate for European Union membership, was rocked by months of anti-corruption protests after a concrete canopy collapse at Novi Sad station in November 2024 killed 16 people. The protests, led by a leaderless student movement, eventually forced the governing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of former president Aleksandar Vučić from power in a snap election on 25 October 2026. Throughout the demonstrations, police used teargas and crowd-control vehicles, leading to widespread allegations of excessive force.
Key Perspectives
Interior Ministry: Called the officers' actions torture and intimidation, saying they inflicted suffering on detainees to extract information and punish them.
Students, activists, opposition parties and rights watchdogs: Have accused Vučić and the SNS of political violence, media pressure, ties to organised crime, and corruption. They say police violence during the protests caused injuries and psychological trauma.
Former president Aleksandar Vučić and allies: Deny the accusations of political violence and corruption.
What to Watch
- Whether the investigation extends to higher-ranking officials or other security force members.
- The trial outcome and if convictions uphold the allegations of torture.
- Reaction from the European Union as Serbia navigates its post-election political transition.