Šarović: I most strongly condemn Vukelić's threats, RS Government should recall Perović

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The threats that Duško Perović, head of the Representative Office of Republika Srpska in Russia, made to the editorial office of the Capital portal and their editor Siniša Vukelić, best illustrate the society we currently live in and what we need to deal with as soon as possible, stated the president of the Serb Democratic Party, Mirko Šarović.

"I most strongly condemn Perović's threats to Vukelić because it is an act of unprecedented assault on freedom of speech and media independence with the aim of publicly intimidating all journalists who perform their work objectively and professionally," Šarović said.

"It is particularly problematic that these threats are made by a high-ranking official of Republika Srpska, using and abusing the position of head of the Representative Office of Republika Srpska, all to protect the interests of a private foreign company," emphasized the SDS president.

He called on officials to immediately dismiss Perović from the position of head of the RS Representative Office in Russia.

"I demand that the Government of Republika Srpska immediately recall Perović, not only because of the most terrible assault on the editorial staff and office of the portal, which is considered the most significant representative of independent journalism, but also because with this shameful gesture he showed that he is not a protector of the interests of Republika Srpska, but rather a defender of the interests of foreign capital owners, which is practically an act of treason," concluded Šarović.