Serbia arrests nine over alleged student protest abuse

Serbia arrested eight serving police officers and one former officer on Wednesday over alleged abuse of students during anti-government protests last year, the interior ministry said.

The ministry said the nine were arrested on suspicion of "abuse and torture" after an alleged incident in August 2025 in a garage at the Serbian government building in Belgrade.

According to the ministry, the suspects were on duty when they used force and threats to inflict severe pain and suffering on several injured people to obtain information, intimidate them and unlawfully punish them.

The arrests were ordered by the first basic public prosecutor's office in Belgrade. Authorities identified the suspects only by their initials and year of birth.

RTS state broadcaster reported that those arrested include Igor Zmiric, commander of Serbia's special anti-terrorist unit. Student activist Nikolina Sindjelic, who was detained during anti-government protests in Belgrade in August 2025, has accused Zmiric of kicking her as she lay on the floor in the government garage.

Student groups have repeatedly accused police of brutality during demonstrations. The arrests came as student leaders, whose movement defeated Aleksandar Vucic's SNS party in late October elections, are pressing for reforms of the police and intelligence services.