Mayor denies putting up roadblock for visiting minister

Mayor denies putting up roadblock for visiting minister

Speaking for Beta agency, Mayor Vladimir Zaharijev said he and other citizens gathered there "to wait for Mihajlovic by the roadside so that, if she wished to, they could discuss the problems related to the sale of a gas station, and the issue of oil supply to the municipality."

"When they arrived in a convoy of vehicles, they stopped and Mihajlovic came out, and told us that the law must be respected," he said, adding that she then went to the party premises and then to Bosilegrad's center where a campaign gathering was held.

Zaharijev also said there were "no roadblocks" today, adding his assertion is supported by television footage. He accused "SNS officials from Vranje" as being "behind everything in the hope this will win them elections."

"Had we blocked the road, would she have been able to go to the party (HQ) and then to the center of the municipality... and as for the election, people will say what they thinks about each of us," Zaharijev said.

Mihajlovic's press service said earlier in the day that Zaharijev stopped the convoy of vehicles at the entrance to Bosilegrad, where the controversial gas station, the privatization of which he is contesting, is located.

The statement added that Mihajlovic "called on Zaharjev,, who is a former member of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and now has his own party, the Natural Movement, not to block the entrance to Bosilegrad and not to create a ghetto out of this town."

Mihajlovic also "noted that the situation regarding the privatization of the gas station would be resolved - but Zaharijev must respect the laws and not interfere in judicial decisions for the sake of his political career."