Natalija Jovanović, the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Niš, was attacked with a knife on Saturday, Niš police told Radio Free Europe (RFE).

“It is suspected that the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Niš was attacked with a knife. She is receiving assistance at the Clinical Center, and all circumstances are currently being investigated,” stated the Niš police department.

Jovanović had previously been the target of attacks and threats after supporting student protests and faculty blockades.

Her husband told the Beta news agency that she would be kept in the Emergency Center due to high blood pressure, not from injuries sustained in the attack. He also accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić of being behind the attack, claiming that Vučić had “targeted” his wife.

Jovanović was among the first deans in Serbia to support student demands, and her faculty was the first in Niš to open its doors to students who were blocking classes.

Students in Serbia have been blocking classes at dozens of state faculties at five universities since the end of November. They are demanding the establishment of political and criminal responsibility for the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station, in which 16 people died.

They also demand the sanctioning of attackers on students during protests following the tragedy and the cessation of proceedings against arrested demonstrators.

The government claims that all student demands have been met and calls on them to unblock the faculties, while students claim that their demands have not been met and that they will continue the blockades.


Their demands have been supported by organizations of education workers, lawyers, university professors, farmers, and other citizens.
Student-led protests have been held in more than 300 cities and towns in Serbia, with the participation of hundreds of thousands of people.

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