Valjevo protests mark anniversary of police violence in Serbia

Valjevo protests police brutality student activism Serbia political unrest Students in Blockade

On August 14, 2026, the student-led movement 'Students in Blockade' organized a protest in Valjevo, Serbia, to mark the one-year anniversary of violent police clashes that occurred in August 2025. The gathering, titled 'Valjevo Remembers,' saw approximately 3,500 citizens participate in a march through the city to commemorate those injured during the previous year's unrest.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the gathering was unregistered and resulted in the detention of 11 individuals for violations related to weapons and identity documents. Police also seized items including knives, telescopic batons, and radio equipment from a vehicle near the site. During the event, a participant identified as D. H. was reported to have attacked a citizen with a telescopic baton.

The anniversary highlights ongoing tensions regarding accountability for the 2025 police response, which left dozens of citizens injured. While legal teams filed criminal complaints against officers in October 2025, activists and legal experts argue that investigations into potential torture and abuse of power remain insufficient or prolonged. The Ombudsman's office has an ongoing investigation into the matter, though critics question the speed and effectiveness of the institutional response.

Entities

Aleksandar Vučić · Ministry of Internal Affairs · Novi Pazar Basic Court · Novi Pazar Police Administration · Novi Sad · Serbian Progressive Party · State University of Novi Pazar · Students in Blockade · Valjevo · Zoran Pašalić

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Protesters in Valjevo are marking the one-year anniversary of police violence against citizens. antiguatribune.com · www.nedeljnik.rs · beta.rs · www.slobodenpecat.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police seized items including knives, telescopic batons, and radio stations from individuals in a vehicle near Valjevo. beta.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Police detained 11 individuals during the Valjevo protest for violations related to weapons and identity documents. www.kurir.rs · www.sd.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 3,500 people attended the unregistered gathering in Valjevo. www.kurir.rs · www.sd.rs
[● 3 SOURCES] A protest participant identified as D. H. attacked a citizen with a telescopic baton. www.kurir.rs · www.sd.rs
[● 2 SOURCES] Protests were also held in Novi Sad to mark the anniversary of clashes between citizens and police near SNS headquarters. autonomija.info
[○ 1 SOURCE] Student activists organized information stands in the Pčinja district, including Bujanovac and Vranje.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Legal teams representing victims filed criminal complaints against police officers in October. www.slobodenpecat.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Students in blockade organized a protest in Valjevo on August 14, 2026, to mark the anniversary of police violence. www.nedeljnik.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ombudsman's office has an ongoing investigation into the police conduct in Valjevo. nova.rs
[○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 60 citizens sought medical assistance at the Valjevo Health Center following the 2025 incidents. vreme.com