The Police Raid on University of Belgrade Rectorate

On March 31, 2026, officers from Serbia's Criminal Police Directorate's Anti-Corruption Department entered the University of Belgrade Rectorate around 11 a.m. without prior notice. Acting under a court order from the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office, they seized computers, servers, documents, and other equipment as part of an investigation into the unexplained death of a 25-year-old female student at the Faculty of Philosophy five days earlier. Police also reportedly discovered protest-related items like pyrotechnics, gas masks, banners, and medical supplies, which were forwarded to prosecutors.

The operation was broadcast live by pro-government media outlets, amplifying perceptions of political theater. University staff described the search as disproportionate, targeting surveillance footage and materials unrelated to the core inquiry into potential negligence.

Tragic Student Death Ignites Investigation

The raid stemmed from the death of the student, who fell through a fifth-floor window at the Faculty of Philosophy on the night of March 26, 2026. The circumstances remain unclear, with no definitive cause established. The university immediately committed to cooperating with authorities and called for a thorough, independent probe.

Government officials, including Education Minister Dejan Vuk Stanković and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić, quickly pointed fingers at university leadership, accusing them of inadequate security measures and transforming faculties into hubs for political activism. This narrative framed the raid as accountability for negligence amid broader unrest.

Rector Vladan Đokić's Defiant Response

Addressing thousands of gathered protesters from the Rectorate balcony that evening, Rector Vladan Đokić delivered a powerful speech denouncing the raid as intimidation rather than legitimate inquiry. "They came to humiliate... to tell every professor, every student, every citizen: 'see what happens to those who choose not to remain silent?'" he declared.

Đokić emphasized that Rectorate computers held no relevant data, underscoring the raid's symbolic intent to project control: "The police in the rectorate, the rector under investigation, the university on its knees." He demanded an internationally supervised investigation into the student's death, prioritizing forensic expertise over politics, and appealed to Serbia's citizens and Europe's academic community to defend institutional autonomy.

Immediate Protests and Clashes Erupt

News of the raid mobilized students, professors, and supporters, leading to spontaneous gatherings outside the Rectorate. Tensions escalated into clashes as police used batons to disperse crowds, while protesters hurled soil from planters and attempted to breach cordons. Police Director Dragan Vasić confirmed the ongoing search and vowed prosecutions for attacks on officers.

These events echoed over a year of student-led blockades and demonstrations, highlighting the University of Belgrade's role as a protest epicenter.

Government's Broader Campaign Against Universities

The raid fits a pattern of escalating tensions since November 2024, when student protests erupted after a deadly canopy collapse at Novi Sad's railway station killed 16 people. Accusations of government corruption fueled nationwide blockades, with universities like Belgrade becoming symbols of resistance.

Prior incidents include police dismantling blockades, professor dismissals for supporting protesters, funding threats, and proposals to strip faculties of legal autonomy. Pro-government media has vilified Rector Đokić and Dean Danijel Sinani, labeling them responsible for the tragedy. EU Ambassador Andreas von Beckerath urged restraint, warning against politicizing the incident. Balkan Insight reports detail fears of exploiting the tragedy.

Wave of European Academic Solidarity

European higher education networks swiftly rallied behind the University of Belgrade, condemning the raid as a grave threat to autonomy. The European University Association (EUA), of which Belgrade is a member, expressed "deep concern" over the police incursion and called for dialogue to de-escalate pressures since 2024 protests.

The Coimbra Group voiced "full solidarity," decrying police raids, force against gatherings, and student arrests as a "worrying escalation" undermining civil liberties. Circle U, another alliance including Belgrade, demanded an end to intimidation and decisive European response, noting threats in one nation affect the continent's academic integrity. Additional support came from UNICA, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Université Grenoble Alpes, Flemish rectors, and the European International Studies Association (EISA).

Historical Context of Interference in Serbian Higher Education

Serbia's higher education sector has faced mounting government pressure under President Aleksandar Vučić. Post-2024 protests, authorities intervened in blockades, detained protesters, and targeted outspoken academics. Funding cuts and autonomy erosion proposals signal efforts to align universities with state priorities.

The University of Belgrade, Serbia's oldest and most prestigious institution founded in 1808, symbolizes resistance. Its Faculty of Philosophy has been a protest hub, amplifying calls for accountability over the Novi Sad disaster—no investigations there, yet swift action here.

• Nov 2024: Protests begin after station collapse.
• Jan 2026: Police dismantle blockades.
• Mar 26, 2026: Student death.
• Mar 31: Rectorate raid.

Stakeholder Perspectives: A Divided Landscape

Students view the raid as retaliation for their activism, with thousands rallying spontaneously. Professors decry erosion of academic freedom, fearing self-censorship. Opposition figures like MP Đorđe Pavićević accuse authorities of linking protests to the tragedy baselessly.

Government insists on accountability, portraying universities as politicized. International observers, including the EU, emphasize due process without political influence. Families await clarity on the death, amid politicization concerns.

Impacts on Students, Faculty, and Serbian Academia

The raid disrupts operations, with seized equipment hindering administration. Faculty morale plummets amid intimidation fears; students face arrests and access denials. Enrollment and research suffer in a tense climate, stalling Serbia's EU accession higher ed reforms.

Broader effects include chilled dissent, brain drain risks, and damaged international collaborations. Serbia's 25 public universities, serving 250,000 students, grapple with autonomy threats vital for innovation.

Implications for Academic Freedom Across Europe

While Serbia is not EU, events resonate amid rising populism. Alliances like EUA warn of contagion: autonomy breaches anywhere weaken Europe's research ecosystem. Parallels to Hungary's interferences under Orbán highlight vigilance needs. Times Higher Education covers the condemnations.

Photo by Dorian Labbe on Unsplash

Path Forward: Dialogue, Reforms, and International Pressure

Solutions demand de-escalation: independent probes, restored autonomy, protest rights protection. EUA pushes government-university dialogue; EU could tie accession aid to reforms. Serbian academia urges transparency on Novi Sad, student safety protocols without overreach.

Optimism lies in youth resilience and European solidarity, potentially strengthening regional higher ed resilience. Explore opportunities in stable European institutions via AcademicJobs Europe jobs.