“THE INCIDENT WAS ORCHESTRATED FROM THE TOP OF THE GOVERNMENT”: Police detain farmers over clash at meeting in Mrčajevci! (VIDEO)

Several members of farmers’ associations were taken in for questioning by police this morning following an incident that occurred the previous evening during a farmers’ meeting in Mrčajevci, allegedly involving a person whom organizers claim was instructed by senior government officials.

One of those detained, Predrag Veljković — also a councilor in the Assembly of Kraljevo — posted a video on Facebook showing police officers arriving to bring him and the president of the Association of Milk Producers of Šumadija and Pomoravlje, Milorad Majstorović, in for questioning.

He stated that they were not the only individuals summoned by police.

“This is yet another form of repression carried out by the authorities against people participating in blockades and protests,” he said in the video.

Veljković had the previous evening shared footage from barricades in Mrčajevci following a meeting of agricultural associations that launched protests 18 days ago. Additional groups joined the gathering, including associations from Vojvodina, the “Stig” Association from Požarevac, and other farmers participating in blockades across Serbia.

“After that meeting, you saw our statement and conclusion — we sent another appeal to the Government of the Republic of Serbia requesting an urgent meeting without delay. The email was sent immediately, before midnight, to the government’s address. If there is no response tomorrow during the day, protest radicalization will follow — entering what would be a third phase,” Veljković explained last night.

Speaking to Epicentar Press, he confirmed that an incident occurred during the meeting when a clash broke out “due to the actions of a person whom the associations claim was instructed from the very top of the government.”

In a joint statement issued by the Association of Milk Producers of Šumadija and Pomoravlje and the Farmers’ Association “Šajkača” from Bresnica, it was stated that this was the third time the same individual allegedly attempted to obstruct meetings and create divisions among agricultural producers.

“The incident was caused by a person planted by the top of the government with the aim of breaking farmers’ unity. This is already the third attempt by the same individual to create discord among us at a time when we are fighting for bare survival,” the statement said.

According to the Farmers’ Association “Stig,” its president Nedeljko Savić was also brought in for questioning this morning following last night’s incident in Mrčajevci.

Representatives of the association told Boom93 that the “Stig” delegation attended the meeting where, according to their claims, a physical altercation occurred.

They stated that Savić received a call from an inspector this morning requesting that he report to the police to give a statement regarding the event, which he did.

“A chief of the Security Information Agency arrived at the police station, after which he was taken from the police to the BIA for questioning,” a representative of the association told Boom93.

Members of the Farmers’ Association “Stig” said they will not withdraw from the blockades until, as they stated, their president is released.