The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, has expressed concern over reports that criminal proceedings against police officers suspected of serious unlawful conduct towards a female student during protests in Belgrade in July 2025 may be terminated through the procedure of postponement of criminal prosecution.
In a reaction published on the social network X, O'Flaherty said that the interruption of criminal proceedings for serious cases of police misconduct through deferred prosecution risks further undermining citizens' trust in law enforcement and strengthening the climate of impunity.
"I call for effective investigations, prosecutions and, where appropriate, punitive measures that will have a deterrent effect against police misconduct during protests in Serbia," he stressed.
The statement comes at a time when human rights organizations and part of public opinion in Serbia have raised concerns about the way allegations of excessive use of force by the police during civic protests have been handled.
The Council of Europe Commissioner stressed that accountability and transparency are essential for maintaining public trust in law enforcement institutions and for ensuring respect for fundamental human rights.
Serbia has been considered an unsafe country in recent international reports and has citizens complaining about freedom of expression and other basic freedoms.
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