Marta Kos condemns attacks on citizens and journalists at protests in Serbia

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that reports of violence during recent protests in Serbia are deeply concerning.

Foto: Marta Kos/N1 Slovenija

“Reports of violence during recent protests in Serbia are deeply concerning. Advancing on the EU path requires citizens can express their views freely and journalists can report without intimidation or attacks,” Kos wrote in a post on X.

Reports of violence during recent protests in 🇷🇸 are deeply concerning. Advancing on the 🇪🇺 path requires citizens can express their views freely and journalists can report without intimidation or attacks.

— Marta Kos (@MartaKosEU) August 14, 2025

Citizens and students gathered in multiple cities on Wednesday evening, with incidents recorded in Novi Sad, where assembled supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) pelted citizens with pyrotechnic devices, while in Belgrade clashes broke out between police and protesters, and tear gas was deployed on several occasions.

Wednesday evening’s protests were also marked by an unprecedented scene – a member of the Serbian military drew a gun and fired into the air.

Serbia’s Internal Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said the man is an army sergeant, “who was on official duty providing security for a protected person.”

Student protesters have called on citizens to take to the streets again on Thursday evening in cities across Serbia.