The Bar Association of Serbia suspended its work for three days, after the Basic Court in Užice ordered the detention of their colleague Radovan Novakovi?, one of the seven citizens of that city arrested on suspicion of attacking the police during the protest. The detention decision caused a wave of indignation – from protests in front of the prison and reactions from the civil sector, to messages about political repression that the government rejects. The Ministry of Justice claims that it is a legal decision due to the attack on officials, while lawyers, families of the arrested and part of the public speak of stifling freedom and intimidation of citizens.
At the same time, protests are taking place all over Serbia, incidents are recorded during police interventions, and testimonies of beatings, tying up of injured students and mistreatment of demonstrators are appearing, which further fuels the feeling of mistrust and social tensions.
Lawyers are stopping work
The Board of Directors of the Bar Association of Serbia (AKS) made a decision on a three-day suspension of work, after the Basic Court in Užice ordered the detention of their colleague Radovan Novakovi?. He is one of the seven citizens of Užice who were arrested and detained for up to 30 days, on suspicion of attacking the police during the June 28 protest.
The suspension of the work of lawyers began today at 12:XNUMX p.m., while respecting the minimum work process. This decision followed, as the AKS states, drastic moves by the judicial authorities towards the citizens who participated in the protests and blockades in Užice.
In addition to Novakovi?’s lawyer, a student, a professor, a local councilor and three other citizens are also in custody. Their detention caused protests, gatherings in front of the prison in Užice, numerous condemnations from the civil sector and accusations that it was a politically motivated persecution. Uzice has been a sort of center of resistance for days.
The father of one of the arrested, student Pavle Cicvari?, Radovan Cicvari?, told N1 that his son, after the expiration of the legal term of 48 hours of detention, “officially became a political prisoner in the 21st century.”
