Students at the Filozofski fakultet (Philosophy Faculty) in Novi Sad, Serbia, staged a protest on January 21, 2026, blocking the university’s building following the dismissal of Professor Jelena Kleut. In response to the protest, members of the Serbian Ministry of Interior forcibly removed all individuals inside the faculty premises. Reports indicate that the intervention involved the use of significant force, leading to injuries among students.
Footage circulating on social media shows police officers using shields and batons against the protesting students. According to reports from N1 Srbija, the intervention included units from both the Intervention Police and Gendarmerie, who established a cordon around the faculty. A student reported, “All students and professors were expelled from the Philosophy Faculty; only the administration and police remained.”
This incident follows a prior protest held by students on January 17, 2026, under the slogan “What Does Victory Mean?” at Trg Slobode, which aimed to prepare for upcoming parliamentary elections and campaign activities. The recent protests mark a new phase in the student movement, with demonstrators advocating for significant reforms, including a lustration process and a law regarding the origins of property.
The atmosphere at the university has been tense, as students expressed their concerns over what they perceive as escalating repression by authorities. Media reports suggest that the government has intensified its measures against student activism following the presentation of their electoral program ideas.
Students have vowed to continue their protests, highlighting their commitment to advocating for democratic reforms and challenging the current political landscape in Serbia. The events at the Filozofski fakultet have drawn attention to broader issues of academic freedom and governmental accountability, igniting discussions about the future of student activism in the region.
As tensions remain high, the situation at the university underscores the critical intersection of education, politics, and civil rights in Serbia today.
