politics
March 31, 2026
Protest in front of the Rectorate ended after Đokić's address
The protest in front of the Rectorate in Belgrade, called by students in blockade due to the entry of UKP members into the building, which was marked by incidents and attacks on the police, ended this evening after an address by Rector Vladan Đokić.
TL;DR
- A protest took place in front of the Belgrade Rectorate, called by students blocking the building.
- The protest was triggered by the entry of UKP (Criminal Police Directorate) members into the Rectorate building.
- Incidents and attacks on police occurred during the protest.
- Rector Vladan Đokić addressed the protesters from the Rectorate terrace, stating that UKP members entered without prior notice or clear legal justification, violating the institution's autonomy.
- Đokić claimed the event was an attack on the idea that anything in Serbia cannot be controlled and appealed to the international community, framing the police entry as a crackdown on freedom of thought.
- The Rectorate was later vacated by the Rector.
- Protesters attempted to break through police cordons to enter the Rectorate.
- At one point, police retreated towards the National Theatre, followed by protesters who chanted insults and attacked police officers.
- Traffic was blocked on Studentski trg and Vasina Street.
- Opposition representatives and activists were present at the protest.
- The UKP entered the Rectorate as part of an investigation into an incident on March 26th where pyrotechnics ignited on the fifth floor of the Faculty of Philosophy, leading to a 25-year-old student's death by jumping out a window.
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