Nikola Selakovic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN ILIC)
The trial of Minister of Culture Nikola Selakovic in the General Staff case began at the Special Court in Belgrade on Feb. 4, with he and the three other accused entering a not guilty plea.
According to the indictment of the Prosecution for Organized Crime, they are charged with abuse of office in connection with the removal of the status of cultural asset from the General Staff building, which they denied during the hearing. According to the indictment, the main parts of which the prosecution presented on Feb. 4, they are also suspected of falsifying official documents.
According to BETA’s reporter, the prosecution did not wish to amend the indictment. Selakovic stated that he would not invoke his immunity. The presiding judge stated that the court would still send a memorandum to the government with a request to declare a stance on this matter and whether Selakovic’s immunity would be lifted or not.
The start of the trial has attracted a lot of media attention, with 23 journalists watching the hearing in the audience. Before the start of the trial, citizens and students gathered in front of the court building, greeting the accused with the chants “mafia” and “prison for you.”
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