Serbia sees surge in violent attacks on students and lawyers amid political tensions

A faculty council at the Academy of Arts in Dečani condemned statements by former prime minister and SNS leader Miloš Vučević that sought to downplay a brutal assault on a female student. The attack, carried out by SNS activists on the night of 27‑28 January 2025, left the student with a broken jaw and severe injuries. Vučević described the victim as “physically strong, very tall and large” and claimed the injury resulted from a push and fall, prompting the council to label his remarks an attempt to shift blame and undermine the victim’s dignity.

In a separate incident, the Belgrade Bar Association denounced the severe beating of lawyer Danko Cvejić, who was attacked by a group of men while his minor children were present. The assault, occurring ten days after a similar attack on another lawyer, has raised concerns about the safety of legal professionals in Serbia. The bar association called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the public prosecutor to identify and prosecute the perpetrators and warned it would appeal to international human‑rights bodies if the state fails to act.