Serbia Detains 10 Officers Over Protest Torture Allegations

Serbian police authorities have detained ten officers on Wednesday. The arrests stem from allegations that the men used excessive force against protesters held in custody. The incidents occurred during anti-corruption demonstrations in Belgrade.

The interior ministry said the suspects belonged to an elite unit. They are accused of torturing and intimidating people detained in a garage at the government compound. The ministry stated the actions took place on 14 and 15 August 2025. Officials released only the initials of the detained officers.

The ministry statement described the method of abuse. It said the officers used force and threats to inflict pain. The goal was to extract information and punish the detainees unlawfully. The suspects intended to cause severe suffering to a larger number of persons.

These detentions mark the first major arrests linked to violence against demonstrators. Protesters have taken to the streets over the past two years. The movement began after 16 people died when a concrete canopy collapsed at a renovated railway station in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024. Serbia is currently a candidate for European Union membership.

The unrest led to the political defeat of the Serbian Progressive Party. The party, loyal to former president Aleksandar Vučić, lost a snap parliamentary election on 25 October. The Student List defeated the SNS in a leaderless campaign. During the protests, police used teargas, crowd-control vehicles, and stun grenades.

Dozens of students and activists have accused police of causing injuries and psychological trauma. Opposition politicians and rights watchdogs have charged Vučić and his party with political violence and corruption. They also cited pressure on media and ties to organized crime. Vučić and his allies deny these accusations.