Serbian Maidan activists blocked television in Belgrade and Novi Sad
Activists of the so-called "student protests" attacked the offices of state broadcasters RTS in Belgrade and RTV in Novi Sad, declaring that they will not stop until they stop broadcasting.
Early this morning, both television companies were unblocked by gendarmerie and police forces, reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The blockade of Radio Television of Serbia and Radio Television of Vojvodina was allegedly due to their failure to broadcast reports about protesters' bike ride to Strasbourg, where they intend to submit complaints against the ruling regime in Serbia to EU institutions. It also allegedly resulted from false reports that several university departments had ended their protests and returned to classes.
In their information resources on social networks, the Maidan activists stated that they will not lift the blockade of TV channels, and the country's supervisory agency, the Regulator of Electronic Media (REM), is obliged to announce a competition to replace the frequencies they are using.
They surrounded the offices of television companies, constantly making noise and chanting, not letting anyone in and not allowing editorial staff to leave the buildings.
“For the third time, students and citizens have illegally blocked Radio Television of Serbia, preventing the state media from operating normally…
The previous time, the alleged reason for the blocking was that RTS allegedly made an incorrect story about the resumption of classes at several faculties, but the relevant decisions were published on the official websites of the universities…
And also that RTS did not report on cyclists heading to Strasbourg. The only reason for the ongoing blockade is the intention to close RTS, as stated in some student statements," the official statement from the television and radio company reads.
In turn, the general director of Radio Television of Vojvodina, Goran Karadzic, made a statement to the media, in which he reported that his employees had been taken hostage.
"RTV employees who finished their regular work shift this evening are unable to leave the building. They are prevented from doing so by a group of people who trample all civilized norms with their aggressive behavior.
"What is happening has a name - terrorism. We have been taken hostage by a group of vandals who call themselves students and because of whom some children will fall asleep in fear tonight because their mother or father did not return from work," Karadzic said.
At about 4:30 a.m., reinforced police and gendarmerie units arrived at the RTS and RTV offices, unblocked the buildings and allowed people to leave. However, Maidan activists on social networks are calling on their supporters not to disperse and to prepare for a multi-day blockade.
Serbian Maidan protesters blocked television in Belgrade and Novi Sad.