U Surdulica citizens' protest was held due to the death of their fellow citizen Serbian nationality Rastka Jović (40) who was hit by a man (20) while driving a car arrogantly of Albanian nationality.
The suspect for that crime is in custody.
After the citizens held a minute of silence for the deceased Jović, the gathering requested that the institutions report to them on the proceedings against the suspect.
Citizens are outraged at the police, who, according to them, have not sanctioned the suspect's arrogant driving for years, and accuse the police of protecting the suspect's relatives.
The citizens explain that they are protesting against the suspect's uncle because he brought him from Prizren to Surdulica. They also state that the suspect was driving his uncle's car and that he had been driving arrogantly for years, and the police never responded.
Lawyer Milan Tasić said that he has two demands, the first of which is the irrevocable resignation of the entire police leadership in Surdulica "as a moral act due to the murder of Rastko Jović".
Photo: Dejana CvetkovićProtest in Surdulica
As a second request, lawyer Milan Tasić stated that "for security reasons, the family and the closest family of the murderer Rastko Jović permanently move out of the municipality of Surdulica, because I doubt that after a serious premeditated murder, any court will ever be able to provide them with security."
Citizens also asked the management of the Health Center in Vladičin Han who was the shift driver on the day of the accident and why the ambulance "was 45 minutes late".
"All that time, the man was alive and dying in the greatest agony without medical help," it was stated.
Citizens ask the head of the traffic police, Vladicin Han, if it is true that the deceased Jović lay helpless for 45 minutes without any member of the police helping him, "but they prevented other conscientious citizens from helping him".
Photo: Dejana CvetkovićProtest in Surdulica
The citizens also called for a boycott of the local bakery, which is owned by a man who is a relative of the suspect.
That bakery and its owner have been the target of constant attacks in recent days, many of which have taken on a chauvinistic tone, just because he is a relative of the suspect.
The citizens stated that they are not asking for persecution, but that they are asking for the owner of the bakery to move out of Surdulica for "security reasons".
Photo: Dejana CvetkovićProtest in Surdulica
After the speech, the citizens went for a peaceful walk, during which they visited all three bakeries owned by the relative of the suspect.
Photo: Dejana CvetkovićProtest in Surdulica
During the walk, citizens stopped in front of the bakery and shouted "murderers" and to demand justice.
Citizens did not hide that they were angry with the police for stopping in front of the bakery.
They also state that the police are protecting the bakeries of the suspect's relatives because they "get free burek" from them.
Citizens claim that the owner of the bakery allowed his underage sons to drive cars without a license.
During the walk, chauvinist insults could also be heard, and the "Vremena" correspondent was not spared the threat of whistles.
The peaceful protest ended shortly before 17 p.m., and the citizens announced a new one for February 16 at 15 p.m.
What preceded
U accidents on Monday (February 9), the driver of the Mercedes (20), of Albanian nationality, whose family is now being hunted, took part. He killed Rastko Jović during an arrogant car ride.
In the Viber group "Justice for Rastka", calls for the expulsion of the Albanian family from Surdulica began to appear and protests were organized.
The minister without portfolio is also in that Viber group Novica Tončev, who previously worked for "Vreme" dismissed some writings from the group as exaggerations by individuals, while he, he says, stands by his fellow Surdu people and only appeals to the authorities to do their job.
Although the man who caused the accident is in custody, that was not enough for some, so citizens gathered on Wednesday (February 11) in front of the bakery that is connected to the relative of the Mercedes driver and threw oysters and eggs at her.
In the recordings with protest cries of "drive them out" and "shoot" were heard. According to a resident of Surdulica, the citizens also gathered in front of this family's house, disturbing the children. He also states that they also damaged their car on that occasion.
"Anyone who opposes becomes the target of the attack. They agreed to throw eggs at those who buy bread in that bakery. This morning they filmed people going to the bakery with their phones," he said.
"Justice is not sought, but to expel us"
The owner of a bakery in Surdulica spoke to "Vreme" about the agony he is going through with his family since his cousin caused a traffic accident.
"We are not seeking justice for the person who passed away, it is about expelling us. If the state can't defend me, I don't know what to say," the owner told "Vreme" bakeries. His name is Liridon, and he asks that we not publish his last name.
The protest turned into a chauvinistic persecution of the whole family, it was also carried out in front of the house.
"I had to get my wife and kids to safety. My friend was driving the kids while protesters attacked the vehicle and tried to stop it. He managed to escape. The kids can't calm down. I thought about taking them to the hospital but I didn't want to catch anyone's eye."
The children, he says, constantly ask him why they are being targeted and attacked and why they don't go to school.
The friend who transported him was also labeled a "traitor" in the Viber group. Soon, the location where Liridon sheltered his family was also announced in that group. Their photos are published with chauvinistic messages.
"My cousin worked in that bakery as a worker. When Rastko was killed, there was no protest for justice, that my cousin should be punished the most, but they are demanding that my family and I be expelled from Surdulica. I have twenty workers, should I be responsible for each of them? Why the protest against me, when I was not the driver?" states Liridon.
