Assistant Director of Police Željko Brkić stated that after last night’s blockades across Belgrade and Čačak, 18 persons from those two cities were detained.
Brkić told RTS that 16 persons were detained in Belgrade and two in Čačak, adding that criminal or misdemeanor charges would be filed against them.
“Three individuals are currently detained, and we are intensively working to determine all the facts in order to prove unlawful behavior and possible criminal acts. The public will be informed about everything,” he added.
He emphasized that the police will not allow any acts of violence, and will ensure full respect for the Constitution and laws of the country, as well as the safety and freedom of movement for all citizens throughout the territory of Serbia.
Brkić said that currently no location in Belgrade is blocked, and that public transport and traffic are functioning without hindrance.
“Traffic has been absolutely normalized after the intervention of police officers. Last night we had 31 locations where traffic was suspended in Belgrade, a total of 108 in the territory of other police administrations,” Brkić pointed out.
He added that the police reacted professionally, and that incidents were recorded only at Autokomanda.
He reminded that the first traffic blockades began on Sunday around 6 PM, when citizens gathered and set up containers, concrete blocks, benches, tents, and other improvised means.
“We intensively monitored the situation in the situational center. In the late evening hours, or early morning hours, we decided to engage police officers to normalize traffic,” Brkić said.
According to him, the police intervention was completely professional, that citizens were first warned that they were in a place where gatherings are prohibited, and then ordered to voluntarily disperse.
“We had no incidents at any location, except at Autokomanda, where we were met by rioters ready to attack. They had balaclavas, gloves, and objects they could use to attack the police. We acted as we did at all other locations,” Brkić said.
He added that police officers then began to push the crowd from the area that must be clear for traffic, but that the group of gathered people began to insult the police officers and throw stones and water bottles at them.
“One official vehicle was damaged, and we were forced to intervene. We used coercive measures against eight individuals – the mildest possible, without any consequences. These individuals were taken to police premises, and the competent authorities proceeded with them,” Brkić stated.
He called on citizens to respect the law, not to block traffic, and not to resort to violence. He emphasized that the police are ready to apply the law in its full extent to protect the legal order and the state.
MORE TOPICS:
COLOMBIA SENT A PROTEST NOTE: Serbian police arrested famous professor; Accused him of terrorism!
Source: Euronews; Photo: ATA Images