Analyst: Police Attempt to Enter University Students’ Property Was Illegal, Authorities Must React

Rodoljub Sabic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

On Sept. 21, lawyer and legal analyst Rodoljub Sabic stated that the police attempt to enter premises used by the anti-regime university student movement without a warrant on Sept. 16 was illegal and added that such pressures will likely continue.

“Police entering anyone’s apartment or offices and, therefore, [the students’ property] as well – except in extenuating, legally defined situations, which, in this case, were absolutely absent – without an appropriate court warrant represents the unequivocal violation of two fundamental laws regulating the operation of the police force: The Police Force Act and the Criminal Proceedings Act,” Sabic told the Nova daily.

The analyst underscored that the police force’s job is to ensure the implementation of the law and protect the rights of the public.

“Top police officials would have to be aware that they are responsible for the illegal behavior of their subordinates, regardless of whether they have merely ‘turned a blind eye,’ tolerated or encouraged it, and especially if they have ordered it,” said Sabic.

The Students in Blockade movement announced on Sept. 16 that officers from the Sector for Economic Crime entered the warehouse where the movement stores its promotional material without a warrant. Calling the event “a cheap attempt at intimidation” the movements IG post explained that a prompt reaction by themselves, the public and lawyers put a swift stop to the situation, but did not provide details.