Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) said it ordered nine people detained in an investigation into alleged abuse at a government complex in Belgrade, a case involving serving police officers.
The ministry said eight of the nine are serving officers and the other is a civilian who was a police officer when the alleged conduct took place. Prosecutors directed the detention order, which can last up to 48 hours, the ministry said.
The investigation concerns an incident in a garage inside the government complex overnight Aug. 14-15, 2025. The ministry alleges the suspects caused severe pain and suffering to multiple people in the garage, intending to extract information, frighten them and impose unlawful punishment.
Reuters reported that protests in Serbia followed the Nov. 1, 2024, collapse of a canopy at a renovated railway station in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. The news agency said students and activists later accused police of excessive force during demonstrations, citing injuries and psychological trauma.
The ministry said they would be taken to the competent prosecutor’s office within the period set by law.
