The European Commission is in contact with Serbian authorities regarding the alleged kidnap, arrest and torture of opposition politician Nikola Sandulovic, but they stressed it is important to have all the facts.
After visiting the grave of a Kosovo Albanian war hero, Sandulovic was reportedly taken from his home, severely beaten, not given adequate medical treatment, and is now being held in a prison. His lawyers have filed an urgent case with the United Nations Committee Against Torture in a bid to get international assistance.
Serbia’s ex-security chief admits ordering opposition leader’s arrest, silent on violence
Serbia’s US-sanctioned former intelligence chief Aleksander Vulin, who resigned as head of Serbia’s Security and Information Agency (BIA) two months ago, has claimed responsibility for ordering the arrest of opposition leader Nikola Sandulovic, without commenting on his brutal beating in custody, which has reportedly left him paralysed.
Euractiv asked spokesperson Peter Stano whether the European Commission will take any action over the incident and their position on the terms of his detention and the use of excessive force.
Describing it as “alleged detention” and “ill-treatment”, Stano said they are “following closely this case and are in contact with relevant authorities and stakeholders. It is important to have full clarity of the facts around this case.”
He added the Commission expects the rights of all citizens to be upheld.
“Any detention should be based on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence and any credible allegations of violence should be effectively followed up by the relevant competent authorities. ”
At the start of January, Sandulovic posted on X that he visited the grave of Adem Jashari, a founder of the Kosovo Liberation Army who was killed by Serbian police in 1998 along with 57 members of his family, including women and children.
He asked for forgiveness from the family, laid a wreath, and apologised on behalf of Serbia.
On 3 January, the family reported that a black van appeared in front of the house, and members of the Serbian Security Information Agency (BIA) exited and seized Sandulovic, taking them to their headquarters. It is there he was allegedly subject to severe physical attacks by multiple individuals, “amounting to torture”.
Then, he was taken to the military hospital in Belgrade after being brought home by Ambulance. He suffered a broken rib and is reportedly paralysed on one side of his body, including his hand.
On 4 January, he was seized again and is being held at Belgrade Central Prison with no access to independent medical treatment. It is understood he will face trial for causing or inciting “national, racial, or religious hatred or intolerance among peoples or ethnic communities living in Serbia”.
On 6 January, at a court hearing, Sandulovic’s defence counsel said that laying a flower on a family’s grave could not be a criminal office. Judge Milica Grujic replied, “I am ordering a 30-day detention for Sandulovic because he laid flowers on the grave of an Albanian child.”
Urgent case filed with UN torture committee over beaten Serbian opposition politician
An urgent submission has been made to the United Nations Committee Against Torture regarding the alleged kidnap and torture of Serbian opposition politician Nikola Sadulovic after he paid respects at the grave of a Kosovo Albanian war hero in early January, while the EU remains silent on the matter.
His legal team have requested the UN committee order the torture against him is stopped and he be released immediately to a civilian hospital for proper medical treatment. They also demand a full investigation is commenced, protection provided to him and his family and all charges are dropped.
Former intelligence chief sanctioned by the US for corruption and destabilising activities, Aleksander Vuiin, admitted to ordering his arrest but skirted any mention of the violence inflicted on him.
“Sandulović was detained according to my order, which remained in force even after my resignation. He was detained on suspicion of undermining the constitutional order and actively working to support the secession of so-called Kosovo,” he told Novosti.
He added that if Sandulovic had laid a wreath on the grave of Himmler, the Mossad would have killed him.
“Laying a wreath on the grave of the Serb murderer Adem Jashari, Sandulovic was only detained by my order and the order of the prosecutor. I apologise to Serbia for being unable to do more,” he added.
Sandulovic’s lawyer, Cedomir Stojkovic, disputed Vulin’s statement and claimed he is taking the hit for Serbian President Aleksander Vucic.
“This is an agreed statement between Aleksandar Vucic and Aleksandar Vulin because Vulin’s political career in Serbia has ended in agreement with Vucic, and now he can (falsely) take responsibility for everything that causes international damage to Aleksandar’s regime,” he said.
Vucic has yet to comment on the allegations or incident.
(Alice Taylor | Euractiv.com)
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