Serbia arrests nine police officers over alleged force against protesters
Serbian authorities detained nine active police officers and one former officer on Wednesday, accusing them of using excessive force against detainees…
Serbian authorities detained nine active police officers and one former officer on Wednesday, accusing them of using excessive force against detainees during anti‑corruption protests in Belgrade last year, the interior ministry said.
The ministry said the suspects allegedly tortured and intimidated protesters who were being held in a garage of a government compound.
The arrests follow anti‑corruption demonstrations that spread across Serbia in 2025 and 2026 after a concrete canopy collapsed at a renovated railway station in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024, killing 16 people.
Serbia, a candidate for European Union membership, is under pressure to show that it can uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of demonstrators.
The interior ministry said the investigation will assess whether the officers breached legal standards and promised further action.
Why it matters
The detentions highlight concerns about police conduct and accountability as Serbia seeks EU accession.
Key details
- Location
- Serbia · Europe
- Reported by
- The Guardian
- First reported
- Key names
- Serbian, Belgrade, European Union, Novi Sad
- Section
- World
- Figure cited
- Anti-corruption protests swept across Serbia, a candidate for European Union membership, in 2025 and 2026 after 16 people died when a concrete canopy on a renovated railway station in the city of Novi Sad collapsed on 1 November 2024. (The Guardian)
Sources
This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:
Read the full story at The GuardianSpotted an error? Request a correction · How this summary was produced
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