Arrests of Members of the Movement of Free Citizens in Novi Sad
Key figures connected to the Movement of Free Citizens detained on suspicion of planning violent acts against the constitutional order of Serbia.
Members and officials of the Novi Sad branch of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG) — Mladen Cvijetić, Srđan Đurić, Lado Jovović, Marija Vasić, and Davor Stefanović, along with Lazar Dinić from the organization Stav — were arrested today under suspicions of preparing actions that could endanger the constitutional order and security of Serbia, specifically regarding incitement to violently change the constitutional order, as stated by the Ministry of Interior (MUP).
Lawyers confirmed that police have detained Cvijetić, Đurić, and Jovović for 48 hours.
One of their attorneys, Vladimir Horovic, stated that they declined to provide a statement to the police because their lawyers were not allowed a prior consultation with their clients.
It is anticipated that they will be interrogated by the prosecutor within this 48-hour window, and their lawyers expect to be granted access to their clients during this time.
Horovic noted that a search of their residences is expected to take place, with their legal representatives present.
Footage aired by multiple television stations, including TV Pink, TV Informer, TV Prva, and Happy TV, purportedly shows members of the PSG’s Novi Sad branch and representatives of the organization STAV discussing plans for violent actions at upcoming protests in Belgrade scheduled for March 15. The recordings feature not only those arrested but also Mila Pajić, an activist from the STAV movement.
In a statement released by PSG, they asserted that the viewpoints expressed in the recordings do not reflect the official stance or plans of the PSG, nor do they pertain to the students' protests and their demands.
The PSG described the aired footage as a secretly recorded conversation among several younger members of its Novi Sad branch with representatives of various activist groups.
An announcement published on the Facebook page of students from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts expressed their disassociation from individuals promoting violence and invasions of institutions.
The message accused a widespread media campaign of disseminating misinformation about students' intentions for March 15, including rumors of plans to invade the public broadcaster RTS.
The announcement emphasized their opposition to violence and the portrayal of those advocating for such actions as being aligned with student interests.
The recorded discussions suggest agreement among PSG members to conduct an incursion into the RTS building in Takovska Street, wherein they mention the potential use of Molotov cocktails and long sticks to assault police forces.
Additionally, discussions included strategies to lead crowds chanting 'transitional government' to politically articulate student protests in favor of the opposition.
The participants in the meeting underscored the importance of organizing the plan for seizing the RTS building into three phases, detailing the acquisition of the building's layout, organizing a technical operator to broadcast, and formulating a response plan for police intervention or passive resistance.
They stated that the operation must be well-coordinated, with an awareness of police presence dynamics, likening the execution to a 'bank robbery.'
When discussing a potential invasion of the National Assembly, members indicated that initiating such an act themselves could 'delegitimize' the protests, suggesting it would be better carried out by unidentified individuals.
They recognized their lack of legitimacy to change the government and claimed that immediate action would not be feasible.
However, they reiterated their objective of altering the character of protests to undermine the authority of President Aleksandar Vučić, ultimately seeking his removal, which they view as contingent upon either his assassination or resignation.
Plans indicated that an individual would enter the RTS studio with the statement 'your hands are bloodied,' and they expressed that the goal would not be accomplished if a large number of people entered the RTS building.
Strategies against police included the use of long sticks up to five meters in length, which they believed could incapacitate officers from a distance.
They dismissed the threat of tear gas, asserting that masks would mitigate its effects and that they could subsequently return them.
Additionally, they mentioned the potential for someone to ensure camera activation during the incursion or to occupy the entire building to prevent police access.
Lawyers confirmed that police have detained Cvijetić, Đurić, and Jovović for 48 hours.
One of their attorneys, Vladimir Horovic, stated that they declined to provide a statement to the police because their lawyers were not allowed a prior consultation with their clients.
It is anticipated that they will be interrogated by the prosecutor within this 48-hour window, and their lawyers expect to be granted access to their clients during this time.
Horovic noted that a search of their residences is expected to take place, with their legal representatives present.
Footage aired by multiple television stations, including TV Pink, TV Informer, TV Prva, and Happy TV, purportedly shows members of the PSG’s Novi Sad branch and representatives of the organization STAV discussing plans for violent actions at upcoming protests in Belgrade scheduled for March 15. The recordings feature not only those arrested but also Mila Pajić, an activist from the STAV movement.
In a statement released by PSG, they asserted that the viewpoints expressed in the recordings do not reflect the official stance or plans of the PSG, nor do they pertain to the students' protests and their demands.
The PSG described the aired footage as a secretly recorded conversation among several younger members of its Novi Sad branch with representatives of various activist groups.
An announcement published on the Facebook page of students from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts expressed their disassociation from individuals promoting violence and invasions of institutions.
The message accused a widespread media campaign of disseminating misinformation about students' intentions for March 15, including rumors of plans to invade the public broadcaster RTS.
The announcement emphasized their opposition to violence and the portrayal of those advocating for such actions as being aligned with student interests.
The recorded discussions suggest agreement among PSG members to conduct an incursion into the RTS building in Takovska Street, wherein they mention the potential use of Molotov cocktails and long sticks to assault police forces.
Additionally, discussions included strategies to lead crowds chanting 'transitional government' to politically articulate student protests in favor of the opposition.
The participants in the meeting underscored the importance of organizing the plan for seizing the RTS building into three phases, detailing the acquisition of the building's layout, organizing a technical operator to broadcast, and formulating a response plan for police intervention or passive resistance.
They stated that the operation must be well-coordinated, with an awareness of police presence dynamics, likening the execution to a 'bank robbery.'
When discussing a potential invasion of the National Assembly, members indicated that initiating such an act themselves could 'delegitimize' the protests, suggesting it would be better carried out by unidentified individuals.
They recognized their lack of legitimacy to change the government and claimed that immediate action would not be feasible.
However, they reiterated their objective of altering the character of protests to undermine the authority of President Aleksandar Vučić, ultimately seeking his removal, which they view as contingent upon either his assassination or resignation.
Plans indicated that an individual would enter the RTS studio with the statement 'your hands are bloodied,' and they expressed that the goal would not be accomplished if a large number of people entered the RTS building.
Strategies against police included the use of long sticks up to five meters in length, which they believed could incapacitate officers from a distance.
They dismissed the threat of tear gas, asserting that masks would mitigate its effects and that they could subsequently return them.
Additionally, they mentioned the potential for someone to ensure camera activation during the incursion or to occupy the entire building to prevent police access.
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