A dean at the University of Belgrade said he initially believed police officers who entered the rectorate were there to seize marijuana, as opposition figures accused the government of using a student’s death to tighten control over universities.
The dean of the Faculty of Physics said the operation by Serbia’s Criminal Police Directorate (UKP) gave the impression officers were searching for drugs rather than conducting a routine investigation, according to remarks cited by local media.
Police entered the rectorate as part of an investigation into the death of a female student at the Faculty of Philosophy, authorities said. Witnesses reported a heavy police presence near Studentski Trg, with multiple officers and vehicles stationed around the area.
The opposition party Serbia Centre (SRCE) said the move amounted to “an attempt by the authorities to introduce party control” over higher education institutions.
“The regime has brutally abused a human tragedy to impose political control over universities,” the party said in a statement, adding that the action showed authorities were no longer hiding their intention to undermine university autonomy.
SRCE also accused Education Minister Dejan Vuk Stanković of responsibility for what it described as a “persecution of the academic community,” alleging he had signalled a crackdown on “disobedient” faculties through media statements.
The party further criticised what it called the use of the student’s death as a pretext for actions against academic freedoms, and accused pro-government media of playing a central role in the campaign.
University officials have said they cooperated with investigators, though some staff criticised the scope and manner of the search.
Police have not publicly detailed the full objectives of the raid.