Interior Minister Dacic: Police acted honorably during violent protest in Novi Sad

Photo: MUP

Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic said today that the police acted honorably during a violent protest on Tuesday in Novi Sad and stressed that the police had instructions to react only when necessary, in order to avoid clashes.

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Dacic said that the police were instructed to take defensive posture, and that the officers avoid interventions because they do not want to clash with citizens.

"We intervene only in situations where there is a drastic violation of public order, endangering the property and interests of Serbia, and when police officers are attacked," Dacic told TV Pink.

According to him, the criminal charges for violence during the protest have been filed based on documented events, and, if the police did something wrong, that will be corrected by the prosecution and the court, the minister added.

When it comes to the former vice president of the Vojvodina Provincial Government, Goran Jesic, Dacic said he was detained on suspicion of having participated in an attack on an official and that there is video footage showing this, as well as that it was suspected Jesic broke a security camera installed on the City Hall.

Speaking about the representatives of the opposition, Dacic said that, as their influence and support from the citizens is declining, they are getting increasingly aggressive and radical.

When it comes to the tragedy at the railway station in Novi Sad, when 14 people died, Dacic said that (officials) submit resignations for ethical and personal reasons, while criminal responsibility is a separate issue.

He recalled that many deadly accidents had happened before - the fire in the Kontrast nightclub (also in Novi Sad), the explosion in the arms factory in Uzice, and others, but that these events were not followed by street violence and aggression.

The minister noted that, just a few days after the tragedy in Novi Sad, no one from the opposition was interested how the families of the victims were doing, but only whether they could somehow make use of the tragedy.

"Vladeta Jankovic, who was always considered an intellectual, now says how this should be used. If such accidents will bring someone to power, then as a society we have come to the point that there is no rock bottom in sight and we have no criteria for what can and can't be used for political purposes," said Dacic.

Referring to the announcement of more protests, Dacic stressed that no one disputes the opposition's right to express political views, but that it is be known what actions will be taken if someone violates the law, endangers lives and state property, disrupts public order and peace, or attacks officials and the police.

"It's know what's done (in that case). They (the perpetrators) are taken into custody, with criminal or misdemeanor complaints filed, they are taken before the prosecutor and before the judge. This is something that happens to everyone (breaking the law), regardless of whether they are a hooligan or someone who thinks that their political role gives them the right to act like that," Dacic said.

The minister added that the investigation into the Novi Sad railway station collapse is being conducted by the prosecutor's office and reminded that President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, and representatives of the country's top authorities, said that both criminal and political responsibility for the accident would be established.

(Telegraf.rs)