On January 16, 2025, a driver drove their car into a group of students during a demonstration against alleged governmental corruption that took place in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. One student was seriously injured.

The student demonstration was a part of a larger nationwide anti-corruption protest, “Stop, Serbia,” to demand better governmental accountability in the wake of a deadly train awning collapse that killed 15 people on November 1.

Videos from the incident shows a large number of students and other protesters blocking a main road near the capitol building, when a car plowed directly into the student.

The driver fled the scene but was later found by police and was arrested for attempted aggravated murder.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about a violent attack on student protesters. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression, and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe conditions for living, learning, and expression for students. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, violent attacks on students undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/serbia-protest-roof-collapse-rts-010b1ef0eceb41d75cef33da1fca15c0
https://www.euronews.com/2025/01/16/student-protester-hit-by-car-at-anti-government-demonstration-in-belgrade
https://www.rferl.org/a/serbia-young-woman-injured-protest-belgrade-novi-sad/33278115.html
https://apnews.com/article/serbia-students-protest-constitution-court-roof-collapse-e323d94de6b1d058cb97d8669d2f224b