Thousands Protest in Serbia Against Government Crackdown on Universities

Protesters gathered in Belgrade to demand that the populist government of Serbia retract plans to change education laws that would abolish the autonomy of state-run universities. The students and professors, who have led months-long anti-corruption protests, condemned the government's actions as a "destroy" of higher education in Serbia. The protests, which began after a concrete slab fell in November, killing 16 people, have been met with a brutal crackdown by the authorities, including cut salaries for professors and threats to defund faculties. The government has also accused the students and professors of working for Western powers to oust the government.

Key Takeaways:

Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade to demand the retraction of plans to change education laws.
The protests have been led by students and professors who have been calling for accountability for the deaths of 16 people in Novi Sad on Nov. 1.
The government has accused the students and professors of working for Western powers to oust the government.
Authorities have cut salaries for protesting professors and threatened to defund state-run faculties where classes have been suspended for six months.
Vladan Djokic, the head dean of Belgrade University, has been questioned by police and accused of abusing his position.
Student protesters have faced attacks by pro-government loyalists and pressure from police and state security.
The protesters are seeking the respect of the rule of law in Serbia and greater accountability for government corruption.

Statistics:

16 people killed in Novi Sad on Nov. 1
6 months of suspended classes at state-run faculties
Thousands of protesters gathered in Belgrade
Hundreds of thousands of people drawn to protests
1 new law being proposed by the government that professors say would pave the way for the government to appoint faculty deans

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