Belgrade Prosecutor’s Office Says It’s Monitoring Blockade of Public Broadcaster RTS Building

Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade (BETAPHOTO/Ana Slovic)

Commenting on the blockade of the Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) building, the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade on April 15 said it was carefully monitoring the situation, adding that “if any criminal offense is committed, those responsible will be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law."

The Prosecutor’s Office also said it was also expecting from all other competent state authorities to take actions and measures within their jurisdiction to protect the safety of journalists performing their duties, as well as the rights of all citizens.

Maja Gojkovic, the head of the Vojvodina Government, has condemned the blockades if public broadcasters in Novi Sad (Ratio and Television of Vojvodina – RTV) and Belgrade, describing them as continued attempts to paralyze institutions and the entire system. “Synchronized attacks on the buildings of public media services represent the harshest violation of the law and the Constitution of Serbia,” Gojkovic said. She added that someone wanted to “take the employees of RTV and RTS as hostages,” clearly “demonstrating force.”

The Journalists’ Association of Serbia (UNS) has also raised its voice against the blockades of the RTS and RTV buildings, calling on students and citizens to enable TV staff and their guests to work normally. “UNS reiterates that any obstruction of the work of journalists is unacceptable, while expressing dissatisfaction with the work of public services, protests included, is legitimate,” UNS said.