The Assembly of the Municipality of Novi Belgrade did not dismiss the member of the Municipal Council, Milija Koldžić from the ranks of the Serbian Progressive Party, who was recognized as one of the batterers who was physically beaten on November 22. attacked the students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU) at a meeting where they paid respect to those killed at the railway station in Novi Sad.
22 councilors voted for Koldžić's dismissal, while 26 were against. When they learned the results of the vote, FDU students shouted: "Resignation, resignation". The session of the Novi Belgrade Municipal Assembly, which was closed to the public, lasted about four hours.
FDU students: We will not stop fighting for justice
The students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU) announced after that that the blockade of FDU will continue until all their demands are met.
"Justice must be served, and we will not stop fighting for it," the FDU students said in a statement.
They showed their dissatisfaction with the decision of the Novi Beograd Municipal Assembly by unfurling the banner "Batina left the municipality" after the session.
Photo: FoNet / Marko DragoslavićStudents of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts at a protest in front of the Novi Beograd Secondary School
After the attack on the students, the Faculty of Dramatic Arts filed a criminal complaint in accordance with the demands of the students.
"We believe that in this situation the reaction of the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor's Office is mandatory and that it precedes the reaction of the City Municipality of Novi Beograd", emphasize the students of FDU, stating that Milija Koldžić is primarily one of those who "physically attacked the students, and thus violated the law".
"On this occasion, we primarily expect the reaction of the Ministry of Interior, and therefore to relieve him of his public duties", emphasized the students of FDU, calling on the police and the competent public prosecutor's office in Belgrade to respond to their demands.
Until these demands are fulfilled, the students of FDU will be blocked, the statement emphasized.
Koldžić's dismissal was also demanded by opposition representatives who protested in front of the Novi Beograd SO building.
"Once Milosevic's police officer, today he works for SNS"
Member of the Democratic Party Vesna Petković said that Milija Koldžić is an ordinary SNS thug.
"He is a thug, a hoodlum who carries out violence." He is the rule of relations and behavior of SNS", said Petković.
She said that in the 90s, Koldžić was a policeman for the then president Slobodan Milosevic, and that today he works for SNS.
She added that he is employed at the Public Utility Company Vodovod i Kanalizacija and that "the salary he receives is made possible by all citizens."
"Milija is not worthy of the position he holds, he must be replaced," said Petkovic.
"There is as much work as you want, but the beaters don't know how to do it"
Ranko Vlaisavljević from SSP New Belgrade stated that "it is necessary to urgently replace the councilor-beater from New Belgrade who participated in the pursuit of students and citizens near FDU".
"Instead of attacking citizens, he should go and check the state of the Health Center, whether there is asbestos in the air due to the demolition of Hotel Yugoslavia, what our parks look like... There is as much work as you want, but the beaters don't know how to do it," he said. is Vlaisavljević.
Vlaisavljević pointed out that this incident is not an isolated case, but, as he stated, "part of the systemic violence with which the Serbian Progressive Party tries to intimidate citizens, suppress protests and make the struggle for justice meaningless."
"While citizens mourn the victims in silence, the regime uses its thugs to attack and provoke those who dare to raise their voices." This disastrous government shows that there are no answers to the citizens' demands except force, insults and threats. It is clear that this kind of behavior is not only the shame of individuals, but also the direct responsibility of the regime that encourages and protects it," concluded Vlaisavljević.
