Belgraders roast peppers for winter, unaware they could pay fines and end up in prison, too

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The season of preparing preserved food for the winter is largely underway, the smell of roasted peppers is spreading in buildings, yards, parks... However, Belgraders should know that roasting peppers can result in fines and even put them in prison!

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It is no secret that at the end of September and the beginning of October is the time when citizens in the capital are looking for a suitable outdoor place for roasting peppers, whether this is green areas in front of buildings, a common space or yard, and even on the roofs of buildings.

However, this is not exactly according to regulations, so the fine for roasting peppers on a terrace or in an inadequate public area is 10,000 dinars, and if citizens refuse to pay, that can translate to five days in prison, Blic writes.

Many citizens bake red peppers in ovens and on electric grills, but homemade ajvar is not a cheap sport, especially if it is made in large quantities.

In order to reduce their electricity bills, which are still large from hot days and the use of air conditioning, some people decide to grill outdoors. And they swear that the taste is better when peppers are roasted over wood burning fire.

In previous years, several dozen reports would be arriving to the address of local utilities companies during this season, mostly from Cukarica, New Belgrade, Palilula, Zemun, Rakovica, although the smell of roasted peppers was in the air at the very heart of Belgrade as well.

It was not uncommon for firefighters to be called because of this, whether it was minor fires or false alarms due to neighbors who were disturbed by strong odors in the building.

Penalties can be avoided because there are locations in the capital where barbecues are allowed, such as Ada Ciganlija. However, you should be careful here as well, because if you light a fire near a forest, fines go from 10,000 to 50,000 dinars.

(Telegraf.rs)