Opposition Assemblyman Sentenced to House Arrest, Interior Minister Broadcasts Video of Alleged Assault

Radivoje Jovovic (BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

Radivoje Jovovic, a representative of the oppositional Movement of Free Citizens in the Vojvodina Assembly, was arrested in the evening of Dec. 4, after which the court sentenced him to 30 days of house arrest along with a ban on using internet and telephone services in the morning of Dec. 5.

According to a press release issued by his movement, Jovovic turned himself in after hearing he was suspected of assaulting an official person.

“This is merely a continuation of abuse of the prosecution, police and judiciary in the war on politically divergent thought, on those who demand justice! Instead of arresting criminals and those responsible for the death of 15 people in Novi Sad[’s railway station collapse], the regime continues to arrest its political opponents,” the Movement of Free Citizens stated.

Prior to entering the police station, Jovovic said that he does not recognize a court or prosecution which does not prosecute murderers and criminals.

Jovovic has been accused of attacking an officer of the law during the Dec. 3 protest rally held in front of Novi Sad’s City Assembly.

During a Dec. 5 appearance on Pink TV, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic played a video from his mobile showing the assault Jovovic allegedly committed.

“Whoever raises a hand against the police will go to jail, regardless of who they are, even if it’s my own brother. End of story,” Dacic said, then asked for his telephone to be brought on stage. The video he subsequently broadcast shows a man hitting an officer’s riot shield and pulling down the face shield on the helmet of another.