The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) of Serbia has not provided information regarding the identification of the gendarme who injured Officer Lazar Baćić during a protest in front of the Radio-Television of Serbia (RTS) building.

This incident occurred two nights ago when students called for a blockade of the public media service.

Questions have arisen about the time needed by the police to publicly disclose the actions taken and whether they have identified the gendarme seen in footage striking Baćić, who was in civilian clothing at the time.

The situation surrounding Officer Baćić's injury has raised significant concerns given the clarity of the available video evidence, which appears to show a fellow officer from the gendarmerie delivering the blow.

The expectation is that the police should be able to easily determine which gendarme was involved.

This incident has resulted in a broader dialogue regarding the capacity of Serbian police to investigate their own.

Critical points have been made about a previous case regarding an officer's death in a Bor prison, raising further questions about the transparency and accountability within the MUP. Retired Colonel Slavica Radovanović, representing the perspectives within the police force, has expressed that it should not be complicated for the police to ascertain the facts presented in the footage.

Radovanović stated that the truth must be disclosed publicly by the Minister of Internal Affairs regarding what transpired with Officer Baćić, insisting that the police are fully aware of every detail of the incident.

The narrative has become complicated as President Aleksandar Vučić previously claimed that Officer Baćić was attacked by students, while students countered with video evidence indicating that Baćić was, in fact, a police officer in civilian dress who was struck by a colleague.

In later statements, President Vučić suggested that Baćić might have received multiple blows from both his colleagues and students present at the demonstration, adding more confusion to the reporting of events.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is tasked with internal oversight to investigate police actions, particularly in instances of attacks on officers or injuries sustained by them.

According to Radovanović, the video evidence circulating clearly indicates that Baćić's injuries were inflicted by another officer, identified as being in full riot gear at the protest.

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade has confirmed that they have yet to receive a report from the MUP detailing the identity of those involved in the incident with the gendarmerie and the specific individual who injured Baćić, despite having requested urgent identification.

The Ministry has not responded to inquiries on this matter.