Serbian media outlets, already known for promoting narratives against Kosovo, have continued to associate the student protests with alleged support from Kosovo for those who seek the “destruction” of Serbia.
On December 13, 2024, "Informer.rs" published an article titled: “Albin Kurti Supported the 'Students' Protests in Belgrade: The Albanian Terrorist Backing Serbia's Destroyers (VIDEO)”. The article seeks to shift focus away from the real reasons behind the student protests in Serbia, which stem from dissatisfaction with Aleksandar Vucic’s governance and the country’s socio-political conditions. The outlet included a speech by Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, during an official visit to Zagreb. At a joint press conference with his Croatian counterpart, Andrej Plenkovic, on December 13, Kurti was asked about the protests in Serbia. In his statement, Kurti expressed support for the student protests but made no mention of supporting the destruction of Serbia, as falsely claimed by the Serbian media.
“Serbia is an undemocratic country where human rights and minority rights are not respected,” said Kurti. He further blamed Serbia for its continuous interference in Kosovo, which has escalated to terrorist attacks such as last year’s incident in Banjska and the recent attack on the Ibër-Lepenc Canal.
“They send Milan Radoicic to us to carry out terrorist actions, while in Belgrade, they beat up students. From historical experience, we know how this ends. But it seems Belgrade has learned nothing from its past,” Kurti stated.
On December 16, 2024, “Informer.rs” published another article about the student protests in Belgrade, this time claiming that Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, and singer Severina Vuckovic had joined forces to attack the state and Vucic.
In an effort to defend Vucic, this outlet implicated not only Kurti but also Serbia’s opposition. “On one side, we have President Aleksandar Vucic, who is leading Serbia forward, modernizing it, increasing salaries and pensions, and striving to maintain peace. On the other side, opposition activists disguised as students receive support from singer Severina, who calls Srebrenica a genocide, and from the so-called Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, who is carrying out ethnic cleansing of the Serbian population in Kosovo!” the article states.
Beyond distorting facts, the article is accompanied by manipulated photographs aimed at creating a false narrative designed to confuse and polarize the public.
To create a connection between Kurti and singer Severina, Informer placed their photos together, with a red background resembling the paint splashed by students during the protests. The outlet also mentioned Kurti's statements from Zagreb about the protests in Serbia again.
The student protests in Serbia began on November 26, led by students from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. Their demands included accountability and prosecution of those responsible for the accident at the Novi Sad railway station. They also urged authorities to prosecute individuals who attacked students during an action expressing solidarity with the victims and injured in the Novi Sad railway tragedy, where a concrete slab collapse caused 15 fatalities.
Since the end of November, students in Serbia have been widely expressing their dissatisfaction with the socio-political situation. According to Serbian media reports, over 40 public faculties have been blocked.
Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vucic, and other government officials have accused these students of attempting to “overthrow the government” through their protests and blockades, labeling them as “foreign mercenaries,” “thugs,” and “hooligans.”
This is not the first time that politicians and media in Serbia have sought to assign external blame for protests, at times falsely claiming they are being incited by Kosovo and Kurti.
*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”
