Tepic: Inquiry Committee Officially Not Dissolved

Marinika Tepic. Belgrade, July 24 2023 (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube}

Freedom and Justice Party vice president Marinika Tepic said on July 24 that the ruling majority in parliament had suspended the work of the inquiry committee looking into two mass shootings committed early in May due to "panicking" over possible testimony before the body.

Tepic, who was elected to chair the committee, told reporters in front of the Serbian parliament that the committee had not been officially disbanded, "but brutally suspended," as neither Speaker Vladimir Orlic nor Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic have the authority to dissolve it.

"The key question is -- what are they afraid of? How come everyone voted for establishing the committee a few days ago, and now claim it is 'abusing a tragedy?' Obviously they panicked when they saw who we wanted to call. Hiding behind the parents' request the regime wants to hide its own mistakes," Tepic said.

She added that the decision to halt the work of the inquiry committee was an "attempt to undercut" the Serbia against Violence protests.

"The regime is aware that the protest would gain new momentum with the knowledge uncovered by the inquiry committee. That is why the protests must get even stronger," Tepic said.