Dacic: All politicians have high level of responsibility not to incite violence

Photo: Filip Plavcic

The head of the Security Services Coordination Bureau, Ivica Dacic, said last night that all those involved in politics have a high level of responsibility towards citizens, stressing that they should not incite and call for violence, but must calm the situation.

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Dacic told Tanjug, speaking about Monday's meeting of the Bureau, which was called after an attempt by opposition supporters to break into the building of the Belgrade City Assembly by force, that the meeting discussed the fact that protests with elements of violence are expected to continue.

Asked what will happen if a similar situation were to repeat, Dacic stressed that the overall security situation is stable, regardless of what took place.

"We talked about it at the Bureau, because it is expected that protests with elements of violence will continue, it was repeated and we urged for restraint and political resolution of problems if they exist in state institutions", said Dacic and added that everyone was urged to respect the laws, instead of resorting to violence.

It is clear, he stressed, that state authorities will use everything in accordance with the law to protect peace, institutions, lives, property and the constitutional order.

"The police will also work when people are celebrating, and they do not deserve to be treated with violence, that is why I call on all those who are involved in politics to have a very high level of responsibility towards the citizens, not to incite anyone or call for violence, but to calm them down," said Dacic.

He stressed that any citizen who violates public order and peace, who does not respect laws and regulations, who tries to endanger the safety of property or other persons in any way, will face what the law dictates.

He assessed that this is not the first time that there have been attacks on the police and praised those who stoically endured the attacks, protecting citizens, institutions and the constitutional order. The minister stated that he also said during the campaign that there was a political plan by the opposition to compensate for the lack of support and votes by talking about alleged electoral irregularities.

"That's nothing new," Dacic said and added that representatives of the opposition coalition involved, called, "Serbia Against Violence," already had been asked by the Ministry of Interior, MUP, to come for an interview because pf information that they wanted violence, but they claimed that this was not true and that this was not their plan.

"At the session of the Bureau, we talked about the fact that there are clear indications that they are presenting themselves as the victims and challenging the state authorities, expecting the support from the foreign factor," said Dacic and recalled that such behavior is not allowed in any country.

He added that the conclusion is completely clear - political protests and violence are two separate things.

"This is not the first time that elections have been held. During elections, if there are any irregularities, complaints are filed. You saw here that apart from political declarations and statements, there are almost no complaints... The minutes (compiled by commissions at polling stations) have been signed," he said.

Dacic noted stated that if someone disputes something, that is done from the very beginning. He added that now there are even fewer (filed) complaints than during the previous elections. "Political protests will always be allowed. The police, and other state authorities, will always react with restraint, unless there is violence, attacks on official persons," Dacic said.

(Telegraf.rs)