Ulemek interview remains mystery

Justice Minister Dusan Petrovic expects the matter of the Milorad Ulemek interview to be resolved as soon as possible. The controversy has come about as a result of the publication in two Belgrade dailies, Kurir and Glas Javnosti of the first part of an interview with Ulemek, aka Legija. Ulemek interview remains mystery This, in spite of the fact he is still on trial for membership of the Zemun Clan criminal group, and has been convicted of the murders of Ivan Stambolic and the late Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. Mystery remains as to how the interview could ever have taken place without the approval of the presiding judge, while the authorities doubt the authenticity of the interview. "I expect everyone to do everything they can within their capacity to help shed light on this matter," said Petrovic. He says that it is up to the presiding judge in the Ulemek trial to establish what had taken place and whether the interview was authentic. "If it is, then we have to take steps in accordance with criminal law to prevent such things happening again," said the minister. He added that the rules of criminal procedure are clear because criminal proceedings are currently under way against Ulemek. Petrovic went on to say that authorized institutions were in place to determine the criminal liability of those who had published the interview. LDP demands investigation The Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) has asked Justice Minister Petrovic to launch an inquiry into the authenticity of the Milorad Ulemek interview, and sanction those responsible for allowing him to illegally address the public. The LDP says that the lack of any reaction from the Justice Ministry is unforgiveable following the release of the interview with Ulemek, a man sentenced to 137 years imprisonment for the most heinous of crimes. In the party’s opinion, it was the responsibility of Petrovic to react while the story was still being widely previewed, thus preventing any offence being caused to members of the public. "Yesterday’s event is a part of a campaign led by Vojislav Kostunica and his colleagues, who have systematically been reviving the policies of Slobodan Milosevic and the values system of the nineties," an LDP statement read.

Ulemek interview remains mystery

This, in spite of the fact he is still on trial for membership of the Zemun Clan criminal group, and has been convicted of the murders of Ivan Stambolić and the late Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić. Mystery remains as to how the interview could ever have taken place without the approval of the presiding judge, while the authorities doubt the authenticity of the interview.

"I expect everyone to do everything they can within their capacity to help shed light on this matter," said Petrović. He says that it is up to the presiding judge in the Ulemek trial to establish what had taken place and whether the interview was authentic.

"If it is, then we have to take steps in accordance with criminal law to prevent such things happening again," said the minister.

He added that the rules of criminal procedure are clear because criminal proceedings are currently under way against Ulemek.

Petrović went on to say that authorized institutions were in place to determine the criminal liability of those who had published the interview.

LDP demands investigation

The Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP) has asked Justice Minister Petrović to launch an inquiry into the authenticity of the Milorad Ulemek interview, and sanction those responsible for allowing him to illegally address the public.

The LDP says that the lack of any reaction from the Justice Ministry is unforgiveable following the release of the interview with Ulemek, a man sentenced to 137 years imprisonment for the most heinous of crimes.

In the party’s opinion, it was the responsibility of Petrović to react while the story was still being widely previewed, thus preventing any offence being caused to members of the public.

"Yesterday’s event is a part of a campaign led by Vojislav Koštunica and his colleagues, who have systematically been reviving the policies of Slobodan Milošević and the values system of the nineties," an LDP statement read.