Serbian students schedule Vidovdan protest amid court trial over alleged constitutional offences

Student activists in Serbia announced a large protest for Vidovdan (June 28) in Kraljevo, using the historic holiday to press political demands, including a call for extraordinary parliamentary elections. The protest coincides with a high‑profile court case in which nine student defendants are charged with preparing acts against the constitutional order and the security of the state. On the day of the trial, student groups urged people to gather at the Palace of Justice in Belgrade, declaring “We won’t abandon them.”

The announcement sparked extensive debate on social media, with users accusing the “Students in blockade” movement of deepening divisions and politicising a national symbol. Television programme “Utisak nedelje” featured legal scholars and students, condemning the prosecutions as politically driven and highlighting broader concerns about the government’s handling of natural resources and cultural heritage. Across regional outlets, the protest and trial are portrayed as a pivotal moment in Serbia’s ongoing political tension.