Journalists and journalist associations in Serbia demand explanation in Cvetković case

BELGRADE, (Patria) - Serbian Minister of Internal Affairs Nebojša Stefanović stated that the report on the case of journalist Stefan Cvetković, along with his statement, has been forwarded to the prosecutor, adding that Cvetković will be home today.

Stefanović, appearing on RTS's Morning Program, claimed that there were many inconsistencies in the entire case and in Cvetković's statement itself. 

Journalist Stefan Cvetković from Bela Crkva disappeared on the night between Wednesday and Thursday on Beogradska Street in that town. Police found his parked car with the doors open and lights on.

Cvetković had recently been working on the case of the murder of the leader of the Civic Initiative SDP, Oliver Ivanović.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Friday that journalist Stefan from Bela Crkva was found alive in the wider center of the town and without visible injuries, but this journalist has not addressed the public until today, which is why his colleagues have cast doubt on the entire case.

“Until we see Cvetković live, he is still a 'missing person'. And if the 'police' are guarding him, they should tell us 'under what circumstances'. Stop talking about football, Vučić. Answer the questions,” wrote famous Serbian journalist Slobodan Georgijev on Twitter.

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Independent Society of Journalists of Vojvodina (NDNV) announced that they demand that the competent state authorities immediately announce where journalist Stefan Cvetković is now and whether he has legal protection as provided by law.

“We demand that the state announce whether Cvetković is currently giving a statement, to whom, and in what capacity, as well as when he was found. If he is a suspect, does he have a lawyer and who is it?” they stated in their announcement.

“We demand that all details about the Cvetković case be fully clarified and announced to the public, and we also demand that representatives of journalist associations have the opportunity to talk to him as soon as possible,” demanded the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia and the Independent Society of Journalists of Vojvodina, reports the Patria agency.