The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights is amazed by the conduct of the president of Nova Srbija and the mayor of Cacak, Mr. Velimir Ilic, who physically attacked journalist Vladimir Jesic. Aggressive and offensive behaviour is inconsistent with the duty of public figures to respect the freedom of expression in their public appearances. After the incident, Mr. Ilic, without any evidence presented, claimed that he was victim of provocation, and that he allegedly had told the journalist “ what he was not wiling to speak about”. The Centre states with anxiety that this type of behaviour has become a habit of Mr. Ilic. In the past, he has also attacked journalists, interrupted TV shows and investigated the ethnic origin of other politicians. And – he has never been punished.
The Centre calls upon competent bodies and professional organizations to react to such conduct of the president a political party in Serbia, and the man who is in the leading position in one of our biggest cities.
No one, and least of all a politician, can be allowed to humiliate journalists or political opponents. However, Mr. Ilic beats journalists in front of TV cameras in the middle of a show. It is obvious that – he is not afraid of the consequences.
