Dacic Says Police Has Not Intervened During Protests, Blockades

Ivica Dacic (Photo: PrintScreen instagram/mupsrbije)

Serbian Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic said on Dec. 18 that there had been no police interventions against citizens during ongoing protests and blockades across Serbia, but that police officers were "angry because activists are harassing them."

He told Prva TV that police unions were making trouble because union members were unhappy with orders from the Interior Ministry that there could be no clashes during street blockades.

Dacic went on to say that public gatherings were allowed if peaceful and said it was not police brutality if officers pushed back when someone touched their helmet or shield. "That officer went to Kosovo to defend this country. Every day and every night he tries to get back home from work alive, and now someone is going to harass him for standing in the street. I appeal to the police to keep their heads," Dacic said.