Court in Novi Sad blocked: pushing between citizens and police, tear gas used

(Patria) - A large number of citizens and students have gathered in front of the court and prosecutor's office building in Novi Sad, demanding the release of activists from the organizations STAV and PSG, who have been in detention for two months at the prison in Klisa, and whose detention was extended by another 30 days on Tuesday, May 13.

About 50 employees tried to enter the building through the rear entrance, and a group of citizens also gathered there, reports Nova.rs.

An incident occurred there, namely pushing between members of the police intervention unit, who tried to allow employees to enter, and the gathered citizens, N1 reports.

When the intervention unit failed to allow court workers to enter, a large number of Gendarmerie members came to their aid.

Tear gas or pepper spray was thrown at the citizens in the front rows, a female student told N1.

One citizen shouted at the police through a megaphone: "Don't do this to unarmed people, what are you doing, not to peaceful citizens."

Citizens are shouting "Serbia" and "Release them all."

Six activists and students of the opposition Free Citizens' Movement (PSG) and the organization Students Against Authoritarian Rule (STAV) have been in detention for 60 days after being charged with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, and the court extended their detention by another 30 days on Tuesday.

Another six STAV activists are charged with the same offense, and they were abroad at the time of their arrest, where they remain today.

As Tanjug writes, among the protest participants are opposition politicians Marinika Tepić, Radivoje Jovović, and Miran Pogačar.