The Legal system of Serbia is continuing with pressure and framed court cases against members of the Anarcho-Syndicalist Initiative. Being familiar with the basis of this system, and with the intentions and goals of our union confederation being clear, that manner of behavior of the courts does not surprise us. Still, a bit puzzling is a total lack of any attempts of creating rational explanation for the way the trials are going on and arrogance of the system which is exceeding every limit.
After the acquittal of six Belgrade anarchists in the case of the attack on the Greek Embassy was overturned by the Appeal court in mid 2011, the process against Tadej Kurepa, Sanja Dojkić, Ivan Savić, Nikola Mitrović, Ratibor Trivunac and Ivan Vulović was reactivated for political reasons. To that fact information should be added that the process is prolonged ad infinitum, with the obvious intention of keeping the accused "on a leash". Thus today's court hearing was postponed because police "experts" didn't show up again, while their previously produced written analyses is without a doubt favorable for the accused. The trial has been postponed until January 22nd of the following year!
Parallely with this case, the system is leading several other cases against our members, of which the one against our member Ratibor Trivunac is the one which is most telling. He was accused that at the protest against NATO gathering, which was happening in Belgrade during June 2011, he committed a criminal deed of "interference with a law enforcement officer performing security activities". With dozens of eyewitnesses, and clear video footage of the event that totally denies such charges, the court has decided to continue the process based on the false testimonies of the inspector Saša Todorović and policeman Marko Đorđević, both from the Belgrade Police Department. The main hearing in this case will be held on Monday, September 23rd.
Anarcho-Syndicalist Initiative wishes to inform the public that it will not succumb to the pressures of the state, and it will decisively and with solid argumentation respond to the machinations of the Serbian legal system, using all legitimate means, in the country and outside of it, with the intention of preventing further legal terror against our members.
Stop the state repression!
18. 9. 2013.
In Belgrade
General Secretariat of the Anarcho-Syndicalist Initiative
Section of the International Workers' Association