Vucic reacts to statement made from UN office: "Even unlawful gatherings are allowed in Serbia"

Photo: Tanjug/Marko Djokovic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today that even unlawful gatherings are allowed in Serbia and added that geopolitical goals are hidden behind a statement from the UN Office for Human Rights in Belgrade, wbich urges the government to respect freedom of expression and assembly.

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One can deduce why such statements are made, when one knows where those making them come from, he added.

Vucic was in the town of Cacak today for the opening of a PWO plant, when he was asked about the UN office's comment. The president said he heard all kinds of nonsense during the previous seven to eight months, coming from various "human rights experts" who at the same time remain silent about protesters getting arrested in the Netherlands and Germany, even though those arrests happen mostly for no reason, sometimes with a reason - but in a very brutal way.

"Gatherings are allowed in Serbia, even the unlawful (unregistered) ones. Worst of all, we are protecting unlawful criminal gatherings on a daily basis. So, people gather in a criminal way, occupy intersections, don't register (the gatherings) with anyone. We protect them to make sure someone doesn't accidentally break through from two, three or four sides. The madness, where we are spending state and people's money in order to protect unlawful activities, must stop at some point," Vucic stressed.

He added that in Serbia, not only is freedom of assembly fully allowed, but goes beyond the legal boundaries of freedom of expression, considering that the "blockaders" are saying things like, "death to the police," and feel no shame about it, removin such messages from their sites, Instagram accounts and other places only after several hours.

"Geopolitical goals are always hidden behind such remarks (like the UN statement), check where that person comes from and you will see why they say that. I guarantee that the person who represents the United Nations in Belgrade is neither from China, nor from Russia, nor from any other friendly country. I'm almost sure, check it, you'll understand," said President Vucic.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)