The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) strongly condemns the brutal and unlawful actions of officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs against photojournalist Aleksa Stanković, and demands an urgent and thorough investigation, as well as accountability for all those involved.
According to reports, around 1:00 a.m. last night, following the dispersal of a blockade in Belgrade at the intersection of Kraljice Marije and Ruzveltova streets, officers noticed Stanković standing calmly nearby, documenting the events. One police officer approached him and asked for identification. Upon identifying himself as a media worker, Stanković was detained, pushed into a police van, and ordered to turn off his camera.
Inside the vehicle, a masked officer threatened him over a video recorded two days earlier that showed police officers making inappropriate comments to young women. The same officer struck Stanković several times on the head with an open hand and demanded that he delete his Instagram profile.
Shortly thereafter, another unmasked officer entered the van and demanded the memory card from Stanković’s camera. When Stanković refused, the officers began beating him—with fists, slaps, and even his own cap, which they had removed from his head. Ultimately, in an attempt to stop the violence, he handed over the card, which was immediately destroyed in front of him.
The officers then insisted he delete all footage showing the police. Stanković explained that he is a photojournalist doing his job. The masked officer then slammed his head several times against the vehicle window. Other officers outside the van opened the doors several times to check what was happening, but none intervened to stop the violence.
A few minutes later, a senior officer arrived, stated that they needed to move on, and threatened Stanković, saying, “I never want to see you again.”
IJAS reminds the public that journalists and photojournalists have the right to report from public gatherings and protests, and that it is the duty of the police to enable and protect such work—not to intimidate, insult, or assault media professionals. What is particularly concerning in this case is the complete lack of response from other officers, who passively supported the violent conduct.
We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to immediately launch an internal investigation and identify all responsible officers involved in this incident, and to inform the public about the results. We also urge the competent prosecutor’s office to initiate criminal proceedings without delay.
Police must act in accordance with the law, protect citizens, and ensure that journalists can carry out their duties freely. Harassment, intimidation, and physical assault of journalists are unacceptable and represent serious violations of basic rights and abuses of power.
This is just one in a series of cases in which police officers have acted unlawfully. We demand that the police immediately cease illegal and violent conduct, promptly identify and prosecute those responsible—not only in this case but in all cases where journalists were assaulted, including those committed in the presence of passive police officers.
If such police behavior and the culture of impunity continue to be tolerated, IJAS—which has already suspended its participation in the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists—will be forced to seriously reconsider the purpose and justification of its further involvement in that body.
IJAS will not remain silent while media workers are persecuted for performing their professional duties. We expect responsible and decisive action from the relevant institutions.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Belgrade, July 2, 2025
