European Film Academy calls for release of jailed filmmaker

“The European Film Academy joins the Serbian Film Directors Association (AFRS), the Screenwriter Guild of Serbia and the Association of Serbian Film Producers and call onto the Serbian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Relja Stanojevic,” a press release said.

The protest was organized to call for accountability for the collapse of a canopy roof at Novi Sad Railway Station on November 1 which has claimed 15 lives so far.

“Relja has been detained for 13 days alongside violent offenders, and his mental condition is deteriorating. This arrest appears to be part of broader government efforts to suppress peaceful protests and intimidate the public, raising serious concerns about freedom of expression and the safety of artists in Serbia,” it added.

“The European Film Academy is worried about the mental and physical well-being of Relja Stanojevic and calls onto the Serbian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him and we encourage all film and culture institutions around the world to do the same,” it said.