Belgrade police official denies being sacked over Savamala

Belgrade police official denies being sacked over Savamala

However, Kecman said he was not clear on why he was replaced - and said his decision to address the public with the statement was made because Savamala was mentioned in the media as the reason.

He said he "did not take part in the Savamala case" and described as "absurd" any speculation to that effect, adding that he "insisted (was the only one who pointed out)" that the scene of the demolitions in Hercegovacka Street should be investigated, and that there is documented evidence of this.

"I cannot allow the representative of the police union to refer to me as 'collateral damage' because I did not belong to the dark side of the profession, so I cannot be responsible for the sins of those who smeared it," writes Kecman.

He added that he made an effort to find out the truth about murders of journalists in Serbia as a member of a commission set up to investigate them, and that "someone seems to have been bothered by the Milan Pantic murder case being a step away from being solved."

"Is my dismissal a message to the murders of journalists and citizens of this country that they can once again, without any obstacles and complications, liquidate those who think differently," asked Kecman.

Kecman also criticized his deputy - who he said was "imposed" - as "often leading cases instead of him, based on a directive from the top of the MUP (Interior Ministry)."

The former UKP chief also said the department in recent years "had the best results ever, something also attested to by the statistics."

Kecman said that his own and the safety of his family were jeopardized, and that he "does not feel responsible for other people's failures and omissions."

Lastly, he wrote: "I don't know why I was relieved of my duties. It's up to you journalists to find out."