At a protest in Valjevo on August 14, 2026, former police lieutenant colonel Vladimir Jankovic delivered a powerful speech recounting his experiences during the violent crackdown on student and citizen demonstrations in the city the previous year. Jankovic described recognizing a former colleague in the police cordon and later learning that this officer had been among those who beat students and young people most severely during the protests.

Jankovic expressed deep regret that he and others could not protect the youth on August 14, 2025, when, according to his account, police targeted high school and university students while largely ignoring older demonstrators. He described the aftermath: streets washed at dawn to remove blood, tear gas canisters collected, and riot shields cleaned to hide evidence of violence. Jankovic said that while physical traces were erased, the moral consequences remained, referencing the role of pro-government media in shaping public perception.

Personal Reflections and Public Dedication

The former officer recounted a particularly painful encounter the morning after the violence, seeing his colleague—who had participated in the beatings—playing with his own child in a playground. Jankovic reflected on the disconnect between the officer’s professional actions and his private life, noting the emotional toll of realizing that for some, such violence was just a job.

Jankovic dedicated his speech to the students and young people who suffered during the protests, as well as to all citizens of Valjevo who, in his words, endure ongoing propaganda and public shaming. He also sent greetings to his friend and lawyer Nikola Mirkovic, who he said is now being targeted by the media. Jankovic concluded with a call for freedom and solidarity, emphasizing the lasting impact of the events of August 2025 on the community.