Former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has condemned an incident at the pro-government Informer TV station in Belgrade. The station’s editor-in-chief, Dragan J. Vučićević, claims protesters threatened his life and damaged the newsroom.
The incident took place on Monday evening, October 26, amid tensions following Serbia’s parliamentary elections.
A group of protesters entered the television station and confronted employees. The confrontation interrupted the broadcaster’s operations.
Vučićević later claimed that some protesters tried to kill him and set the building on fire.
“They attacked Informer TV, tried to set the building on fire and almost killed me,” he said.
He added that security cameras may have prevented the situation from becoming worse.
Police have not independently confirmed his claims of attempted murder or arson.
Informer Editor Claims Police Failed to Protect the Station
Vučićević said protesters damaged cameras, computers, walls and other equipment. He estimated the losses at tens of thousands of euros.
According to the editor, some protesters demanded access to the television control room. He claimed they wanted to stop Informer from broadcasting.
Vučićević said he refused their demands despite fearing for his safety.
“I will not do that, even at the cost of my life. I am not afraid of you,” he stated.
He also accused police officers of failing to respond quickly.
The editor claimed he called the police several times. He said officers stood near the building but did not intervene.
According to Vučićević, another police unit eventually moved him to a safe location in Belgrade.
He also claimed that someone had found a vehicle containing gasoline near the station.
Vučićević linked the vehicle to an alleged plan to set the building on fire. Authorities have not confirmed that connection.
The editor said employees’ children were inside the building during the confrontation.
He also accused protester Dijana Hrka of threatening his children.
Hrka’s son, Stefan, died in the November 2024 railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad.
Vučićević claimed Hrka told him his children would suffer the same fate as her son.
The available reports do not independently confirm this allegation. They also do not include an official police finding about the alleged threat.
Vučićević said he contacted Ilija Srdanović, a representative of the student-backed electoral list, and asked him to intervene.
He accused the protesters of trying to silence Informer because of its political coverage.
Despite the reported damage, the editor promised that the station would continue broadcasting.
He also said he planned to return to work the following day.
Vučić Condemns the Incident as Students Call for Calm
Vučić responded to the confrontation in a video posted on Instagram.
He described the incident as an attack on freedom of expression and media freedom.
The former president also criticized the European Union and journalists’ associations for what he described as their silence.
He questioned whether the reaction would have been different if his supporters had entered independent broadcasters such as N1 or Nova.
Vučić also accused Srdanović of refusing to help when Vučićević contacted him.
Srdanović questioned the information coming from Informer and said he needed to verify what had happened.
The student-led movement publicly rejected the disruption and urged its supporters to remain peaceful.
Its representatives called on citizens to avoid entering media organizations and public institutions.
Vučić also criticized the police response. He alleged that some officers had failed to act because they wanted to please the incoming political leadership.
He warned that his political movement would continue its struggle after the election defeat.
The incident followed the release of preliminary parliamentary election results in Serbia.
According to the Republic Electoral Commission, the student-backed list won 52.71 percent of the vote. The preliminary allocation gave it 140 seats in the 250-member parliament.
Vučić’s United Serbia coalition received 39.17 percent and a projected 104 seats.
Election officials had not yet completed the counting process, including some votes cast abroad.
Vučićević also reported a separate gathering outside Pink TV that evening. He said protesters did not enter that broadcaster’s building.
The Informer TV Belgrade protest has raised concerns about the safety of journalists during political demonstrations.
Serbian authorities have yet to establish the full circumstances of the confrontation.
The claims involving death threats, attempted arson and property damage require independent investigation.
