Protest in Sremski Karlovci Over Rape Threats to Activist Justina Arsić
Hundreds of residents, activists and students gathered in Sremski Karlovci on July 31, 2024 for the "Karlovčani protiv nasilnika" protest. The event began at 19:30 in front of the Karlovačka gymnasium, included a 16‑minute silence for victims of a roof collapse at a Novi Sad railway station, and continued with a walk through the town streets. Organisers condemned all forms of violence and political abuse, urging solidarity with the threatened activist Justina Arsić.
Two men, identified as members of the Serbian Progressive Party, threatened Arsić with rape and to run over blockaders with a car on July 23, 2024. The same individuals had previously taken part in an attack on students at the Karlovačka gymnasium. Police and the prosecution have not issued any statements about the threats. During the protest, Professor Marija Vasić read excerpts from a police report detailing the threats, and supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party played recordings of President Aleksandar Vučić from a speaker.
The protest highlighted concerns over political intimidation, gender‑based violence and the lack of official response, calling for accountability and protection of civil activists in Serbia.
Entities: Aleksandar Vučić · Justina Arsić · Marija Vasić · Sremski Karlovci · Srpska napredna stranka
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Police and the prosecution have not issued any statements about the threats against Justina Arsić. (e952d49d-3d20-4d7e-bee7-b69962689858, 0607cb57-060b-46ea-9481-7b7db8ab5a10)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two men threatened activist Justina Arsić with rape and to run over blockaders with a car on July 23, 2024 around 19:00. (e952d49d-3d20-4d7e-bee7-b69962689858, 0607cb57-060b-46ea-9481-7b7db8ab5a10, 7af07b10-b230-42c9-84e6-7aa2175a4550)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party played recordings of President Aleksandar Vučić from a speaker during the protest. (7af07b10-b230-42c9-84e6-7aa2175a4550)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hundreds of citizens, activists, bikers, union members and students protested in Sremski Karlovci on July 31, 2024. (7af07b10-b230-42c9-84e6-7aa2175a4550)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The protest 'Karlovčani protiv nasilnika' was scheduled for Friday, July 31, 2024 at 19:30 in front of the Karlovačka gymnasium, with a 16‑minute silence at 19:52 and a protest walk at 20:10. (e952d49d-3d20-4d7e-bee7-b69962689858, 0607cb57-060b-46ea-9481-7b7db8ab5a10)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Professor Marija Vasić read part of a police report listing the threats made to activist Justina Arsić during the protest. (7af07b10-b230-42c9-84e6-7aa2175a4550)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The attackers are members of the Serbian Progressive Party and previously participated in an attack on Karlovačka gymnasium students during a postal ceremony. (e952d49d-3d20-4d7e-bee7-b69962689858, 0607cb57-060b-46ea-9481-7b7db8ab5a10, 7af07b10-b230-42c9-84e6-7aa2175a4550)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The protest included a 16‑minute silence for victims of a roof collapse at the railway station in Novi Sad. (e952d49d-3d20-4d7e-bee7-b69962689858, 0607cb57-060b-46ea-9481-7b7db8ab5a10, 7af07b10-b230-42c9-84e6-7aa2175a4550)