A woman was reportedly injured during a confrontation outside a Belgrade pizzeria previously linked to allegations of election-related irregularities. Police and emergency medical services responded to the scene as Serbia voted in a closely watched parliamentary election.
A violent confrontation erupted in Belgrade’s Dorćol neighbourhood on Sunday, October 25, during Serbia’s parliamentary election, with local media reporting that a woman was assaulted outside a restaurant whose owner had previously been involved in an election-day dispute.
The incident occurred at approximately 2 p.m. local time outside the Cezar pizzeria on Cara Dušana Street, according to reports by Serbian broadcaster N1, published by Nova.rs.
The restaurant’s owner, businessman Miodrag “Mića” Sovtić, was reportedly involved in the confrontation. N1’s report alleges that he slapped a woman, although the full circumstances of the incident have not been independently established.
Woman reportedly injured as police arrive
According to N1, eyewitnesses described an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation outside the restaurant.
A woman was reportedly injured, and emergency medical personnel attended the scene. Witnesses suggested that she may have been transported from the location by ambulance, although this had not been officially confirmed.
Police officers were also present, while additional intervention units were reportedly dispatched towards Cara Dušana Street following the disturbance.
Video footage recorded by bystanders circulated on social media, attracting attention as voting continued across Serbia.
At the time of reporting, there was no independently verified information about the woman’s injuries, whether any arrests had been made or whether criminal charges would follow.
Why the location is politically sensitive
The incident has drawn particular attention because the same restaurant became the focus of controversy during Serbia’s local elections in June 2024.
At that time, opposition activists alleged that the premises were being used as an informal operations centre associated with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Activists from the Green-Left Front claimed that parallel voter lists were being maintained inside the establishment. Those allegations were disputed and should not be treated as established findings of electoral wrongdoing.
The June 2024 confrontation also involved Sovtić and opposition politician Radomir Lazović. Video footage published at the time showed pushing, verbal exchanges and a physical altercation outside the restaurant.
The previous incident was documented by Nova.rs and other Serbian media.
Renewed confrontation on election day
According to witnesses cited by N1, Sunday’s confrontation began when people questioning activities allegedly taking place inside the pizzeria attempted to record its owner.
An argument followed, escalating into a physical dispute.
The accusations concerning activities inside the premises have not been independently verified. There is also no confirmed evidence at this stage that the confrontation involved actual manipulation of ballots or voting procedures.
The distinction is significant: although the incident occurred during an election and at a previously disputed location, its precise connection to electoral activity remains under investigation.
Another incident amid a tense election
The Dorćol confrontation comes amid several reports of violence, confrontations and alleged electoral irregularities during Serbia’s October 25 parliamentary vote.
Earlier in the day, media reported an attack on Student List election monitors in Pančevo, while complaints involving voting procedures were also reported elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Ipsos/CeSID estimated turnout at 46.4% by 2 p.m., compared with 32.2% at the same point in the 2023 parliamentary election.
That represents a rise of 14.2 percentage points, although turnout alone cannot establish which political group is benefiting from increased participation.
What remains unconfirmed
The Dorćol incident raises questions about the safety of citizens and observers attempting to document suspected irregularities during an election.
However, determining what happened requires confirmation from police, medical authorities and the individuals involved.
Votendi has not independently verified the allegations against Sovtić, the extent of the reported injuries or whether the confrontation was directly connected to organised political activity.
The incident should therefore be regarded as a reported election-day confrontation rather than proof of electoral fraud or an established criminal offence.
Votendi continues to follow developments in Serbia as voting approaches its conclusion, including turnout, reported incidents and official results.
Follow the Serbia election coverage and the election-night live coverage overview for further updates.
