# Pressure on bus operator Milomir Jaćimović Category: Persecution Period: from 17 Apr 2025 Outcome: No one investigated (as of 15 Jun 2026) Police seized all seven buses belonging to Milomir Jaćimović, a bus operator from Đurđevo who since spring 2025 has been driving students and citizens to protests free of charge, and issued him dozens of traffic fines. Unknown persons damaged his vehicles and on 16 April 2026 set fire to one of his buses. By his account, he has paid 4.1 million dinars in fines, and he and his son face 48 court cases. Those who set the fire have not been found. On 15 June 2026 he reported to prison over an unpaid misdemeanour fine, which a citizens' movement paid three days later. ## Attacks on the buses Milomir Jaćimović, a bus operator from Đurđevo near Žabalj, has been driving students and citizens to protests free of charge since spring 2025, after the canopy collapse in Novi Sad. Since then, unknown persons have repeatedly slashed the tyres and smashed the windows of his buses, and on 16 April 2026 one of his buses was set on fire in front of his house. The perpetrators have not been found. After the arson, he publicly accused people from Žabalj whom he says are behind it and demanded that the police arrest them. In April 2026, after receiving a bomb threat signed "Regards, SNS", he was summoned for questioning as a suspect in inciting violence during the elections in Kula. ## Seized buses and fines Police removed Jaćimović's licence plates, stopped him on his way to protests and wrote him dozens of traffic tickets. In November 2025 they seized all seven of his buses, mostly on the grounds that they were technically faulty or were being sent for an Interpol check. According to him, they were returned after 32 to 37 days, with no compensation for damages. He has been detained several times. In December 2025 police in Žabalj took away his driving licence over his medical certificate, and, as he says, returned it after a new examination. In March 2026 his licence to drive buses was revoked under a ruling by the Misdemeanour Court in Belgrade, which he says he knew nothing about. ## Attempted self-immolation On 1 July 2025, after his underage son was detained in front of the SNS offices in Novi Sad, Jaćimović tried to set himself on fire. Police pulled him out of his car, and after he left hospital he was held in custody and charged with attempting to cause general danger and with obstructing officials. The court rejected the request to remand him in custody. President Vučić said at the time that people had "urged him to kill himself". ## Case against his son On 16 July 2025, NIN reported that inspector Željko Martinović, known as Boske, had squeezed the neck of the son of Jaćimović with his legs on a bench. The Interior Ministry replied that the minor had resisted and that the measures used were in line with regulations. Since February 2026, the son has been on trial before the Novi Sad Basic Court for assaulting an official; in January 2026 he was detained again at a protest in Novi Sad. ## Hunger strike and prison In November 2025 Jaćimović went on hunger strike for nine days in front of the Provincial Government, demanding that his buses be returned and the fines annulled. By his account, by April 2026 he had paid 4.1 million dinars in fines, and he and his son face 48 court cases. He says his fines were converted into prison time without his being able to appeal. On 15 June 2026 he reported to prison, and he was released three days later, when a citizens' movement paid his fine of 30,000 dinars. According to his lawyer, new fines of around 200,000 dinars are coming his way. ## After the October elections On 6 November 2026, Jaćimović said that demand for his company's services had grown since the 25 October elections and that his buses were starting to run again. He says he will pay all the fines, which amount to millions of dinars, but wants to pay them off in instalments, and that he will not seek compensation from anyone. The only help he expects from the state concerns his driving licence, which he says he could lose entirely because of the penalty points he received while driving students. According to him, RTS recently contacted him to apologise and then filmed a report on his case. ## Participants - [Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/mup-srbije): According to RFE/RL, it seized all seven of Jaćimović's buses and wrote dozens of fines, and claimed that a bus it had removed had no licence plates even though it did (responsible) - [Aleksandar Vučić](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/aleksandar-vucic): He said Jaćimović had been "urged to kill himself" (commented on the case) - [Miloš Vučević](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/milos-vucevic): He called on Hrka, Jaćimović and his son to end the hunger strike and called bringing the son into it "scandalous" (commented on the case) - [Serbian Progressive Party](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/sns): According to Jaćimović, the Molotov cocktail attack that set his bus on fire is "yet another atrocity by the SNS mafia" (responsible) - [Informer](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/informer): According to Jaćimović, it published that he had set his own bus on fire (responsible) - [Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/ojt-novi-sad): It sought detention in July 2025, and classified the 2026 burning of the bus as causing general danger (investigation and courts) - [Basic Court in Novi Sad](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/osnovni-sud-novi-sad): On 6 July 2025 it rejected detention for Jaćimović; since 2026 his underage son has been on trial before it for attacking an official (investigation and courts) - [Misdemeanour Court in Belgrade](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/prekrsajni-sud-beograd): According to Jaćimović, it banned him from driving a bus without him knowing about the proceedings or being able to defend himself (responsible) - [Željko Martinović](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/zeljko-martinovic): During the arrest he allegedly pinned Jaćimović's minor son to a bench, squeezing his neck with his legs (responsible) ## Victims and others harmed - [Milomir Jaćimović](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/milomir-jacimovic) ## Sources - [Radio Slobodna Evropa: Bus belonging to operator known for giving students free rides during Serbia's protests set on fire](): 16 Apr 2026 - [Danas: Who is Milomir Jaćimović, the bus operator from Đurđevo: The only one who dares to drive citizens](): 7 Nov 2025 - [021.rs: VIDEO Đurđevo: Tyres slashed on vehicles of company that drove students to protests for free](): 18 Apr 2025 - [Danas: Đurđevo bus operator's bus vandalised again, police tried to stop him driving citizens to protest](): 28 Jun 2025 - [Vreme: Transport operator whose company was destroyed over his support for students tried to set himself on fire in protest](): 1 Jul 2025 - [N1: Jaćimović drove students to a protest again: Police removed his plates, SOS taxi came to the rescue](): 28 Jun 2025 - [N1: "They destroyed my company": Transport operator who drove students for free faces pressure – threatens to harm himself outside SNS offices](): 1 Jul 2025 - [N1: They harassed him, destroyed his business, filed a criminal complaint against him: But transport operator Jaćimović says he would do it all again](): 21 Jul 2025 - [N1: Court refuses to remand transport operator Jaćimović's son in custody](): 2 Jul 2025 - [Vreme: Milomir Jaćimović held in police custody: charged with two criminal offences](): 4 Jul 2025 - [N1: Criminal complaint filed against transport operator Jaćimović after all: Held by police after leaving hospital](): 4 Jul 2025 - [Vreme: Transport operator Milomir Jaćimović released from custody in Novi Sad](): 6 Jul 2025 - [N1: He drove students to protests, was fined and had his tyres slashed: but Vučić has his own version of the Jaćimović story](): 8 Jul 2025 - [N1: Transport operator Jaćimović attacked in his own yard: Attacker hit him, broke his tooth and ran off](): 18 Aug 2025 - [Danas: Bus operator Jaćimović: I am not afraid of their threats and lies, if they come for my life, they can only do it once](): 22 Jul 2025 - [Večernje novosti: "YOU'LL BE THE FIRST TO BE RIDDEN, YOU'LL SEE" Blockader Jaćimović from Novi Sad brutally threatens journalists and majority Serbia](): 16 Feb 2026 - [021.rs: Transport operator Milomir Jaćimović detained](): 16 Aug 2025 - [Vreme: Milomir Jaćimović detained ahead of protest in Valjevo](): 16 Aug 2025 - [N1: Milomir Jaćimović reports to Klisa prison: I have paid four million dinars so far, and I will serve my unlawful sentences honestly](): 15 Jun 2026 - [Vreme: Bus operator Milomir Jaćimović arrested outside the National Assembly of Serbia](): 2 Nov 2025 - [Radio Slobodna Evropa: Bus operator Jaćimović, who drove people to a rally supporting Hrka, detained](): 4 Nov 2025 - [Vreme: Milomir Jaćimović begins hunger strike](): 8 Nov 2025 - [Mašina: "Jaćimović" transport fined 400,000 to 500,000 dinars in a single day](): 6 Nov 2025 - [N1: Bus operator Jaćimović detained in Žabalj: "They sent the bus for an Interpol chassis number check"](): 7 Nov 2025 - [Vreme: Milomir Jaćimović ends hunger strike but keeps fighting for his buses](): 18 Nov 2025 - [Radio Slobodna Evropa: Bus operator Jaćimović on eighth day of hunger strike; police intervene at Provincial Government building in Novi Sad](): 17 Nov 2025 - [021.rs: VIDEO: Milomir Jaćimović's bus towed away as large Gendarmerie and police forces intervene](): 17 Nov 2025 - [Vreme: Jaćimović's bus seized again, several people injured in clashes with police](): 17 Nov 2025 - [N1: (BLOG) Dijana Hrka ends hunger strike, several injured in clash with police in Novi Sad, Jaćimović's bus towed away](): 17 Nov 2025 - [N1: (BLOG) Milomir Jaćimović's son ends hunger strike, Hrka "stays consistent" – support arrives from Čačak and Užice](): 13 Nov 2025 - [Večernje novosti: I ask Dijana Hrka, as I asked Mrdić, to end her hunger strike: SNS leader Vučević is clear: It is good the president spoke with her](): 13 Nov 2025 - [Vreme: Milomir Jaćimović gets two buses back, claims they are bugged and under surveillance](): 4 Dec 2025 - [Nova.rs: Jaćimović says his driving licence was taken because his medical examination is not valid](): 8 Dec 2025 - [021.rs: Bus operator Milomir Jaćimović has his driving licence taken away](): 13 Mar 2026 - [Radio Slobodna Evropa: Protest in Novi Sad in support of bus operator Jaćimović, whose bus was set on fire](): 20 Apr 2026 - [021.rs: Prosecutors classify arson of bus operator Jaćimović's bus as causing general danger](): 16 Apr 2026 - [Vreme: Bus operator who supports students: They have started burning my buses](): 16 Apr 2026 - [021.rs: Milomir Jaćimović took a police polygraph: He says he passed the test](): 16 Apr 2026 - [Danas: Milomir Jaćimović goes to prison](): 15 Jun 2026 - [Danas: Milomir Jaćimović leaves prison after Bravo movement pays his fine](): 18 Jun 2026 - [Nova.rs: Bus operator Milomir Jaćimović leaves prison after Bravo movement pays his 30,000-dinar fine](): 18 Jun 2026 - [N1: Protest in Novi Sad in support of bus operator Jaćimović, whose bus was set on fire](): 20 Apr 2026 - [NIN: When police choke you with their legs, they are actually protecting you, according to the Interior Ministry](): 16 Jul 2025 - [021.rs: Bus operator Jaćimović gets his driving licence back, announces free transport for students on Saturday](): 11 Dec 2025 - [Nova.rs: Footage contradicts Interior Ministry: Vehicle police seized from Jaćimović had licence plates](): 19 Nov 2025 - [Nova.rs: Son of bus operator Milomir Jaćimović detained, then released: He swore in front of a police cordon](): 21 Jan 2026 - [021.rs: VIDEO: Milomir Jaćimović's son detained, then released](): 21 Jan 2026 - [Nova.rs: Trial of Milomir Jaćimović's son postponed to 4 March](): 2 Feb 2026 - [Nova.rs: Trial of Milomir Jaćimović's son postponed: Police officer he allegedly obstructed fails to appear](): 4 Mar 2026 - [Nova.rs: Bus operator Milomir Jaćimović receives threats: "Cool off a bit, I'll throw a bomb into your buses"](): 2 Apr 2026 - [Autonomija: Milomir Jaćimović at rally in Žabalj: Son of municipal assembly president brought in young men to set students' bus on fire](): 18 Apr 2026 - [Autonomija: Milomir Jaćimović outside the National Assembly demands arrest of the person who set his bus on fire](): 25 Apr 2026 - [Nova.rs: Police come to bring in bus operator Milomir Jaćimović, he falls ill](): 11 Jun 2026 - [N1: Jaćimović goes to prison over fines he disputes: "I am not guilty, I had no chance to appeal"](): 14 Jun 2026 - [N1: Lawyer: Jaćimović determined to report to Klisa prison in Novi Sad today to serve his sentence](): 15 Jun 2026 - [Vreme: The Jaćimović case: How misdemeanour fines are converted into prison sentences](): 16 Jun 2026 - [Nova.rs: Novi Sad councillor: "Unknown persons broke into Milomir Jaćimović's property"](): 17 Jun 2026 - [021.rs: Jaćimović after his release from prison: fines top 200,000 dinars, but I'm continuing the fight](): 19 Jun 2026 - [Nova.rs: He towed away Jaćimović's buses, now he is becoming Kričak's colleague](): 8 Jan 2026 - [N1: Milomir Jaćimović: Interest in my services has grown since the election changes](): 6 Nov 2026 --- Source: Odgovornost, https://odgovornost.rs/en/afere/progon-autoprevoznika-jacimovica As of: 6 Nov 2026 Licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)