Call for Council of Europe Mission to Investigate Police Response in Serbia
Serbia's political landscape under scrutiny following allegations of excessive force during protests.
A leading figure from the Political Party of Serbia (PSG) has formally requested the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, to expedite the deployment of a mission to Serbia.
This request is aimed at investigating the events surrounding a protest held on March 15 in Belgrade, where allegations surfaced concerning the use of a sound cannon against peaceful demonstrators.
Marko Grbović, a prominent member of PSG, emphasized the expectation of Serbian citizens for European institutions to take action on this issue, highlighting the need for an objective assessment of the circumstances surrounding the reported use of sound guns or similar weaponry.
In a statement, Grbović pointed out that Europe should not remain silent regarding the presence of political prisoners in Serbia, who have been detained for approximately four weeks under what he described as unfounded accusations of attempting a coup.
The PSG has asserted that a lack of response from European entities could lead to continued persecution of opposition figures and activists, further suppression of independent media, and the undermining of civil society in Serbia.
This trajectory, Grbović warned, could result in Serbia distancing itself from democratic norms and posing a threat to regional peace and stability.
During the call for a mission, Grbović reiterated that Serbian citizens are fundamentally advocating for European values.
He argued that support in this struggle should come exclusively from those who uphold these values, rather than from countries like Russia and China, which, according to him, are unable to guarantee such standards even for their own citizens.
He also expressed concerns about the involvement of foreign investigative bodies, noting that it is inappropriate for the Russian FSB to conduct an inquiry into the potential use of a sound cannon in Serbia, just as it would be improper for the American FBI to intervene in the matter.
Grbović reminded that Serbia is a European state and a candidate for European Union membership, asserting that the entities responsible for any investigation should be the relevant European institutions.
He specifically requested that the Secretary General of the Council of Europe send a mission to Serbia without delay to establish the relevant facts and circumstances concerning the incident.
In response to the allegations, the Serbian government has repeatedly denied the use of a sound cannon or any similar devices during the student protest on March 15.
This request is aimed at investigating the events surrounding a protest held on March 15 in Belgrade, where allegations surfaced concerning the use of a sound cannon against peaceful demonstrators.
Marko Grbović, a prominent member of PSG, emphasized the expectation of Serbian citizens for European institutions to take action on this issue, highlighting the need for an objective assessment of the circumstances surrounding the reported use of sound guns or similar weaponry.
In a statement, Grbović pointed out that Europe should not remain silent regarding the presence of political prisoners in Serbia, who have been detained for approximately four weeks under what he described as unfounded accusations of attempting a coup.
The PSG has asserted that a lack of response from European entities could lead to continued persecution of opposition figures and activists, further suppression of independent media, and the undermining of civil society in Serbia.
This trajectory, Grbović warned, could result in Serbia distancing itself from democratic norms and posing a threat to regional peace and stability.
During the call for a mission, Grbović reiterated that Serbian citizens are fundamentally advocating for European values.
He argued that support in this struggle should come exclusively from those who uphold these values, rather than from countries like Russia and China, which, according to him, are unable to guarantee such standards even for their own citizens.
He also expressed concerns about the involvement of foreign investigative bodies, noting that it is inappropriate for the Russian FSB to conduct an inquiry into the potential use of a sound cannon in Serbia, just as it would be improper for the American FBI to intervene in the matter.
Grbović reminded that Serbia is a European state and a candidate for European Union membership, asserting that the entities responsible for any investigation should be the relevant European institutions.
He specifically requested that the Secretary General of the Council of Europe send a mission to Serbia without delay to establish the relevant facts and circumstances concerning the incident.
In response to the allegations, the Serbian government has repeatedly denied the use of a sound cannon or any similar devices during the student protest on March 15.
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