---Srpska verzija ovog teksta se nalazi ispod---

Dear friends,

We are raising funds to support Dušan Mandarić, a Serbian war veteran of the 63rd Parachute Brigade and small business owner whose solidarity with Serbia's democratic movement has coincided with severe government penalties that students and civil society observers widely view as political retaliation.

For nearly a year, Dušan has stood with students from the first days of protests following the Novi Sad railway station tragedy. As students blockaded universities demanding accountability and the rule of law, Dušan was there - protecting faculties, standing with young people in the streets, and using his resources to support the movement for a better Serbia.

Now he faces a crushing tax fine exceeding 2.35 million dinars (approximately $21,000 USD) issued by the Serbian tax authority. While we cannot definitively prove the motivation behind the fine, the timing, targeting, and nature of the penalties have led students and observers to view this as punishment for his support of the protests.

The "Violations"

According to the tax decision documents Dušan shared with students, the penalties include:

On routine business transactions: Retroactive penalties on a tractor purchase and equipment installation work completed in normal business practice
On basic business expenses: Fines categorized as "representation" violations - including workplace meals, hygiene supplies for workers, and even food for his company guard dog (who passed away after 8 years of service)
Strategic timing: The penalties were issued in fall/winter, when his agricultural equipment business has the least work

As Dušan wrote to students asking for help: "That's the cursed fate of those in this country who live and work honestly."

Coordinated Campaign of Retaliation

Dušan's case appears to be part of a documented pattern of multi-pronged attacks on protest supporters:

Government Media Smear Campaigns

Pro-government media outlets have launched vicious propaganda campaigns against Dušan, including:

Baseless accusations of foreign funding and intelligence connections (see example: https://rtvpancevo.rs/vest/9022/)
Attacks on his military service - smearing a decorated veteran of the 63rd Parachute Brigade
Wild conspiracy theories designed to discredit him in the eyes of patriotic Serbians
Character assassination across multiple government-controlled outlets

These are classic tactics used against civil society activists and protest supporters throughout Serbia.

Bureaucratic Punishment

Following the media attacks came the tax penalties - a pattern documented by Freedom House and Serbian civil society organizations monitoring government repression.

Dušan has been:

Directly mentioned by President Vučić in public statements about protest supporters
Attacked by pro-government tabloids including Informer and Dragan J. Vučićević
Subject of coordinated media smears across government-controlled outlets
Hit with this substantial tax penalty shortly after months of visible protest support

Widespread Student Support

Students from multiple universities and faculties across Novi Sad have rallied to Dušan's defense, viewing him as a symbol of cross-generational solidarity:

"Dušan Mandarić is a war veteran who has always been with us, in the front rows, with students and with the people! We call on you to help... and show that Dušan Mandarić is not alone!"

- FTN Students in Blockade (Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad)

Multiple faculties and institutions have publicly called for support:

Instagram posts with broad faculty support:

Participating student groups include:

ftn_se_budi - FTN Students (Faculty of Technical Sciences)
blokada.rekt.uns - Rectorate Info Center, University of Novi Sad
blokada.ef.uns - Economics Faculty students
tehnoloski_u_blokadi - Technology Faculty students
blokada.auns - AUNS students in blockade
poljns_blokada - Agriculture Faculty students
blokada_mfns - Medical Faculty students, Novi Sad
fsfvns_blokada - Faculty of Sport and Physical Education
blokada_vps - Higher Business School, Novi Sad

This represents an unprecedented cross-faculty coalition in support of one of their most loyal supporters.

What Your Donation Will Do

Local supporters have already raised approximately 700,000 RSD (~$6,000 USD). We are seeking to raise the remaining amount to:

Pay the 2.35 million RSD tax penalty to prevent seizure of business equipment and assets
Cover legal representation costs for appeals and ongoing proceedings
Keep his business operating through difficult winter months
Show solidarity with all Serbians facing pressure for supporting democratic reforms
Send a message that smear campaigns and bureaucratic retaliation won't silence support for democracy

Everything Dušan has built - his vehicles, specialized tools, diagnostic equipment, and inventory - is tied to his business. This fine threatens to destroy decades of honest work.

Any excess funds beyond what is needed for Dušan's fine and legal costs will be directed to supporting the broader student movement and other individuals facing similar retaliation.

How You Can Help

1. Donate any amount you can
Every contribution sends a message that Serbians who stand for justice are not alone.

2. Share this campaign
Help spread the word so more people can learn about Dušan's case.

3. Leave a message of encouragement
Let Dušan know people around the world see his courage.

Why This Matters Beyond One Person

When ordinary citizens - veterans, workers, business owners - face coordinated media attacks, bureaucratic penalties, and financial ruin that appear connected to their peaceful political expression, it affects the entire fabric of democratic society.

The playbook is clear: first comes the media smear campaign to discredit the person, then comes the bureaucratic punishment to destroy them financially. This isn't just about Dušan - it's about whether ordinary Serbians can stand for their values without being crushed.

Whether or not one agrees with every aspect of the student protests, the principle at stake is fundamental: people should be able to support causes they believe in without facing what appears to be coordinated government retaliation.

Together, we can show that solidarity is stronger than intimidation.

With hope and determination,
Better Future for Serbia

How to Donate

Important Note About Platform Fees: When donating through Givebutter, please do NOT pay the optional 15% tip to the platform - you can set this to 0%. These tips do not go to Dušan or the cause. The platform allows you to adjust or remove this tip during checkout. Every dollar should go toward helping Dušan and the movement, not platform fees.

Important Disclaimers

About this campaign: This fundraiser is organized by Better Future for Serbia, a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, in collaboration with diaspora supporters of Serbia's democratic movement. We are sharing information provided to us by students and by Dušan Mandarić himself. While we cannot independently verify every detail or definitively prove the motivations behind the tax penalties and media attacks, we believe this case deserves international attention and support.

Fund distribution: Funds will be provided to Dušan Mandarić to help cover the tax penalty and legal costs. Any excess beyond what is needed for his case will be directed to supporting the student movement and other individuals facing similar challenges.

Tax deductibility: Better Future for Serbia is a 501(c)(4) organization. Donations to 501(c)(4) organizations are NOT tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of your donation.

SRPSKI

Priča

Dragi prijatelji,

Prikupljamo sredstva za podršku Dušanu Mandariću, srpskom ratnom veteranu 63. Padobranske brigade i vlasniku malog biznisa, čija je solidarnost sa demokratskim pokretom Srbije koincidirala sa teškim državnim kaznama koje studenti i posmatrači iz civilnog društva široko doživljavaju kao političku odmazdu.

Skoro godinu dana, Dušan je stajao uz studente od prvih dana protesta nakon tragedije na Železničkoj stanici u Novom Sadu. Dok su studenti blokirali univerzitete zahtevajući odgovornost i vladavinu prava, Dušan je bio tamo - štiteći fakultete, stojajući sa mladima na ulicama, i koristeći svoje resurse da podrži pokret za bolju Srbiju.

Sada se suočava sa uništavajućom poreskom kaznom koja prelazi 2,35 miliona dinara (približno $21.000 USD) koju je izdala poreska uprava Srbije. Iako ne možemo definitivno dokazati motivaciju iza kazne, vreme, targetiranje i priroda kazni su naveli studente i posmatrače da ovo vide kao kaznu za njegovu podršku protestima.

"Prekršaji"

Prema dokumentima poreske odluke koje je Dušan podelio sa studentima, kazne uključuju:

O rutinskim poslovnim transakcijama: Retroaktivne kazne na kupovinu traktora i posao instalacije opreme urađen u normalnoj poslovnoj praksi
O osnovnim poslovnim troškovima: Kazne kategorisane kao kršenja "reprezentacije" - uključujući obroke na radnom mestu, higijenska sredstva za radnike, pa čak i hranu za njegovog poslovnog čuvara psa (koji je preminuo nakon 8 godina službe)
Strateški tajming: Kazne su izdate u jesen/zimu, kada njegov biznis poljoprivredne opreme ima najmanje posla

Kao što je Dušan napisao studentima tražeći pomoć: "To ti je usrana sudbina onih u ovoj zemlji koji žive i rade na pošten način."

Koordinisana Kampanja Odmazde

Dušanov slučaj izgleda kao deo dokumentovanog obrasca višeslojnih napada na podržavaoce protesta:

Kampanje Difamacije u Državnim Medijima

Pro-vladini mediji su pokrenuli užasne propagandne kampanje protiv Dušana, uključujući:

Neosnovane optužbe o stranom finansiranju i vezama sa obaveštajnim službama (videti primer: https://rtvpancevo.rs/vest/9022/)
Napade na njegovu vojnu službu - ocrnjujući dekorisanog veterana 63. Padobranske brigade
Divlje teorije zavere osmišljene da ga diskredituju u očima patriotskih Srba
Ubistvo karaktera širom više državnih medija

Ovo su klasične taktike korišćene protiv aktivista civilnog društva i podržavalaca protesta širom Srbije.

Birokratska Kazna

Nakon medijskih napada došle su poreske kazne - obrazac dokumentovan od strane Freedom House-a i srpskih organizacija civilnog društva koje prate vladinu represiju.

Dušan je bio:

Direktno pomenut od strane Predsednika Vučića u javnim izjavama o podržavaocima protesta
Napadnut od pro-vladinih tabloida uključujući Informer i Dragana J. Vučićevića
Predmet koordinisanih medijskih kampanja širom državnih medija
Pogođen ovom značajnom poreskom kaznom ubrzo nakon meseci vidljive podrške protestima

Široka Studentska Podrška

Studenti sa više univerziteta i fakulteta širom Novog Sada su se ujedinili u odbranu Dušana, gledajući na njega kao simbol međugeneracijske solidarnosti:

"Dušan Mandarić je ratni veteran koji je uvek uz nas, u prvim redovima, uz studente i uz narod! Pozivamo vas da pomognete... i da na taj način pokažemo da Dušan Mandarić nije sam!"

- FTN Studenti u Blokadi (Fakultet Tehničkih Nauka, Novi Sad)

Više fakulteta i institucija je javno pozvalo na podršku:

Instagram objave sa podrškom više fakulteta:

Studentske grupe koje učestvuju uključuju:

ftn_se_budi - FTN Studenti (Fakultet Tehničkih Nauka)
blokada.rekt.uns - Info Centar Rektorata u Novom Sadu
blokada.ef.uns - Studenti Ekonomskog fakulteta
tehnoloski_u_blokadi - Studenti Tehnološkog fakulteta
blokada.auns - AUNS studenti u blokadi
poljns_blokada - Studenti Poljoprivrednog fakulteta
blokada_mfns - Studenti Medicinskog fakulteta, Novi Sad
fsfvns_blokada - Fakultet Sporta i Fizičkog Vaspitanja
blokada_vps - Visoka Poslovna Škola, Novi Sad

Ovo predstavlja neviđenu koaliciju fakulteta u podršci jednom od njihovih najvernijih podržavalaca.

Šta Će Vaša Donacija Učiniti

Lokalni podržavaoci su već prikupili približno 700.000 RSD (~$6.000 USD). Nastojimo da prikupimo preostali iznos da:

Platimo poresku kaznu od 2,35 miliona RSD kako bismo sprečili oduzimanje poslovne opreme i imovine
Pokrijemo troškove pravne zastupanja za žalbe i tekuće postupke
Održimo njegov biznis u radu tokom teških zimskih meseci
Pokažemo solidarnost sa svim Srbima koji se suočavaju sa pritiskom zbog podrške demokratskim reformama
Pošaljemo poruku da kampanje ocrnjivanja i birokratske odmazde neće ućutkati podršku demokratiji

Sve što je Dušan izgradio - njegova vozila, specijalni alati, dijagnostička oprema i inventar - vezano je za njegov biznis. Ova kazna preti da uništi decenije poštenog rada.

Svi višak sredstava iznad onoga što je potrebno za Dušanovu kaznu i pravne troškove biće usmereni ka podršci širem studentskom pokretu i drugim pojedincima koji se suočavaju sa sličnom odmazdnom.

Kako Možete Pomoći

1. Donirajte koliko možete
Svaki doprinos šalje poruku da Srbi koji se bore za pravdu nisu sami.

2. Podelite ovu kampanju
Pomozite širenju reči kako bi više ljudi moglo saznati za Dušanov slučaj.

3. Ostavite poruku podrške
Neka Dušan zna da ljudi širom sveta vide njegovu hrabrost.

Zašto Ovo Znači Više Od Jedne Osobe

Kada obični građani - veterani, radnici, vlasnici biznisa - se suočavaju sa koordinisanim medijskim napadima, birokratskim kaznama i finansijskom propašću koja izgleda povezana sa njihovim mirnim političkim izražavanjem, to utiče na celokupno tkivo demokratskog društva.

Scenario je jasan: prvo dolazi medijska kampanja difamacije da diskredituje osobu, zatim dolazi birokratska kazna da ih finansijski uništi. Ovo nije samo o Dušanu - ovo je o tome da li obični Srbi mogu stati za svoje vrednosti bez da budu zgnječeni.

Bez obzira da li neko slaže sa svakim aspektom studentskih protesta, princip koji je u pitanju je fundamentalan: ljudi bi trebalo da mogu podržavati stvari u koje veruju bez suočavanja sa onim što izgleda kao koordinisana vladina odmazda.

Zajedno, možemo pokazati da je solidarnost jača od zastrašivanja.

Sa nadom i odlučnošću,
Better Future for Serbia

Kako Donirati

Važna Napomena O Provizijama Platforme: Kada donirate preko Givebutter-a, molimo vas da NE plaćate opcioni 15% tip platformi - možete ga postaviti na 0%. Ovi tipovi ne idu Dušanu ili svrsi. Platforma vam dozvoljava da podesite ili uklonite ovaj tip tokom procesa plaćanja. Svaki dolar treba da ide u pomoć Dušanu i pokretu, a ne provizijama platforme.

Važna Napomena

O ovoj kampanji: Ovu kampanju prikupljanja sredstava organizuje Better Future for Serbia, 501(c)(4) organizacija za društveno blagostanje, u saradnji sa dijasporskim podržavaocima demokratskog pokreta Srbije. Delimo informacije koje su nam pružili studenti i sam Dušan Mandarić. Iako ne možemo nezavisno verifikovati svaki detalj niti definitivno dokazati motivacije iza poreskih kazni i medijskih napada, verujemo da ovaj slučaj zaslužuje međunarodnu pažnju i podršku.

Distribucija sredstava: Sredstva će biti prosleđena Dušanu Mandariću da pomogne u pokrivanju poreske kazne i pravnih troškova. Svaki višak iznad onoga što je potrebno za njegov slučaj biće usmeren ka podršci studentskom pokretu i drugim pojedincima koji se suočavaju sa sličnim izazovima.

Poreska olakšica: Better Future for Serbia je 501(c)(4) organizacija. Donacije 501(c)(4) organizacijama NISU poresko oslobođene. Molimo konsultujte svog poreskog savetnika u vezi sa poreskim tretmanom vaše donacije.

Help Dušan Mandarić - Veteran Targeted for Supporting Serbia's Student Movement

By Better Future for Serbia

Help Dušan Mandarić - Veteran Targeted for Supporting Serbia's Student Movement

Together, we can show that solidarity is stronger than intimidation.