Olenik: Without independent media, Novi Sad violence would have stayed in the dark

“Yesterday’s protests in Serbia would have been non-existent. By silencing N1 Serbia, Nova TV, Radar, and Danas, Vucic is trying to stifle student and citizen protests, that is his primary goal. Social media alone isn't enough. After that, elections will take place in the dark,” Olenik said.

Gorski Matovic, the man in the green hooded jacket caught on camera slamming a female student’s head against a wall and slapping several others during Monday’s protest, was detained by police on Tuesday evening, Nova.rs reported.

It said that Matovic is a convicted former hooligan and one of the leaders of Korida, a supporters' group for the Novi Sad Soccer Club.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic downplayed the incidents in Novi Sad, characterizing the violence as merely “a few slaps” delivered by individuals who “refused to run away” from the demonstrators.