On behalf of the Serbian Film Directors Association (AFRS) and the Association of Screenwriters of Serbia, we urgently call for the immediate release of Relja Stanojević, a talented young filmmaker and student at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad.

Relja was arrested on November 8th, 2024, during a peaceful civil protest in Novi Sad, calling for government accountability for fifteen people killed by the collapsing structure of a newly reconstructed railroad station. During the protest, plain-clothed officers attacked his girlfriend a fellow film student. When Relja intervened to protect her, he was arrested and accused of “attacking an official in the performance of official duties.”

He 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.