Lawyer visits Marija Vasic: Hospitalized in psychiatric ward, unable to walk, ends thirst strike

Describing Vacis’s health condition, Petrovic said that she was brought to the meeting in a wheelchair and that she is unable to walk.

“She is still on a hunger strike. She stopped the thirst strike because it would damage her veins and prevent her from receiving IV fluids,” the lawyer explained, adding that Vasic told him she is also receiving antibiotics.

Petrovic said Vasic described the medical staff at the prison hospital as highly professional and dedicated to helping her. However, she is surrounded by psychiatric patients in the ward. Petrovic said that when Vasic asked the hospital administration if they could guarantee her safety among these patients, she was assured she is safe.

However, the same cannot be said for the police who transported her to Belgrade. Petrovic revealed that, despite her serious condition, Vasic was not moved in an ambulance, but was laid on the floor of a police van and brought to the hospital that way. “Only later did they lift her onto some kind of chair and strap her in,” he added.

The professor said she would continue her hunger strike until the court rules on the case of activists accused of plotting against the constitutional order and releases them from detention.

Petrovic also conveyed his client’s gratitude for the public’s support, emphasizing how much it means to her to know that she hasn’t been forgotten.

“She is completely in the dark, with access only to state-run media that don’t report what is happening in society,” the lawyer said, noting that he expects the Appeals Court to decide on Tuesday on releasing the activists.

On May 13, the Higher Court in Novi Sad extended the detention of six activists, accused of preparing acts against Serbia’s constitutional order and security, for another 30 days.