⚖️ Authorities only talk about attacks on police and ignore violence against citizens. Arrest data are withheld, obscuring the scale of repression.

What is happening in Serbia is no longer just repression. It is an organised campaign to crush civic resistance through fear, violence, and propaganda.

🗣️ President Vučić warned of assassinations 'in the streets,' while Speaker Brnabić said the canopy collapse was an act of terrorism meant to trigger a colour revolution.
📰 Pro-govt media compare protesters to Nazis and terrorists, portraying ordinary citizens as violent extremists. (🧵/5)

🔫 Use of firearms by police: Officers were filmed waving pistols during protests, with reports of demonstrators being beaten with weapons.
📹 Intimidation tactics: Police filmed crowds at protests, raising fears of reprisals against participants. (🧵/4)

🪧 Police brutality: In Valjevo, police in riot gear beat two underage young men. This reflects a broader pattern of #excessiveforce nationwide.
🔥 Escalating confrontations: Protesters, angered by repression, set fire to ruling party offices in several cities (Valjevo, #Belgrade, Novi Sad). (🧵/3)

⚠️ Key developments (since mid-August):
🎥 Abuse of detainees: Videos show young protesters forced to kneel against walls. Even a 12-year-old child was detained.
🚨 Sexual violence allegations: Female students who were detained reported being threatened with rape and physically assaulted. (🧵/2)

National security expert Buda said: Putin’s move shows 'who’s the real boss' which erodes Hungary’s already shaky credibility within Europe. “What’s good for Moscow cannot be good for Hungary,” he warned.🧵/5

The statement also blames Zelensky, accusing 🇺🇦 intelligence services and the diaspora inside 🇭🇺 to destabilise the country. Former CI officer Katrein told Telex: “This is a message to everyone… 🇷🇺 is watching 🇭🇺 and, when convenient, may more actively intervene to steer things their way.”🧵/4

The SVR even names opposition leader Magyar as Orbán’s probable replacement, claiming 'considerable financial, administrative, media, and lobbying resources' are already mobilised in his favour. They allege support comes through 🇩🇪 political foundations, 🇳🇴 human rights NGOs, and the EPP.🧵/3

Here’s the kicker: Hungarian state news agency MTI printed the SVR’s statement without context or explanation, effectively handing Russian propaganda a smooth megaphone. The SVR isn’t a neutral news source, it’s 🇷🇺 overseas spy agency, used for political meddling and influence ops abroad.🧵/2

The President and high officials persistently flare up tensions, demonstrating no genuine commitment to de-escalate violence and repression. (3/🧵)

Nine students were arrested on accusations of plotting to overthrow the constitutional order after illegal wiretapping of student plenums at two #UniversityofBelgrade faculties and #surveillanceofWhatsApp communication in the case another student. (2/🧵)

In a surprising move, the Eparchy of Žiča of the #SerbianOrthodoxChurch, which had remained silent during months of student protests, issued a public statement calling for a calming of tensions and reminding authorities of their fundamental duty: to protect the people. (5/🧵)

Meanwhile, in #NoviSad, ahead of the Exit music festival, protesters blocked the main bridge leading to the event, saying they want to “show the world the truth about Serbia.” (4/🧵)

In #Kragujevac, thousands blocked the city’s main road in support of the arrested students and a high school teacher who was fired for publicly backing them. (3/🧵)

At the same time, a #Belgrade court ordered 30-day detention for two students accused of inciting a forceful regime change. In response, lawyers across 🇷🇸 started a three-day strike to express solidarity with citizens and protest judicial abuses, and pressure from the executive branch. (2/🧵)

This wasn’t just a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. It was a collective answer to the Orbaán regime, to
intimidation and authoritarianism. Tens of thousands marched to say: Hungary is our home too! The government blinked. The people didn’t.