Investigation "closer to executioners of journalist Pantic"

Investigation "closer to executioners of journalist Pantic"

Fifteen years is a long time when it comes to investigations, but in the last few months a working group, which is very committed to investigating the murder and has more members compared to last year, has reached concrete information - but it is difficult to talk about results and deadlines.

The daily reported this quoting Veran Matic, president of the commission the government has set up to investigate murders of journalists. Matic on Saturday, the 15th anniversary of Pantic's death, took part in the ceremony at the reporter's grave and at a memorial bust built in his honor, along with representatives of the Novosti company and journalist associations.

"We're digging into the archives and a space that is not only neglected, but also polluted. Often we see that the traces are routed in other directions. The encouraging fact is that since the commission has existed I did not see any obstruction from the institutions of the system. We are closer to the executioners, but those who gave the order will be recognizable in the continuation of the investigation, if it is determined that the perpetrators are those whose tracks we follow," said Matic, adding that this is a unique case where there is a commission that deals with murders of their colleague.

Ratko Dmitrovic, general director and editor in chief of Novosti, said that progress in the investigation gives some hope, but that he is not optimistic when it comes to solving this case.

"When coming here, along with the nausea I feel, I am also burdened by whether I will say the same sentences as last year. It is important to solve the case not only for the sake of the family, colleagues and the act itself, but above all, to prove and so we all understand it does not pay off to kill journalists. In other words, that severe consequences should be suffered for such a thing."

"If this becomes just one in a series of unsolved cases, we as a society will not only stagnate, but will have a problem of the dominant thinking that proceeds from violence and murder paying off," Dmitrovic said.

According to him, another reason to feel bitter is that no municipal officials have attended the commemorations this and previous years.

Predrag Blagojevic, member of the Executive Board of NUNS, said that it was "not a problem that even after 15 years Pantic's killer has not been discovered, but that no one has been punished for it yet." He also said he "fears that the country is thus sending the message that not only journalists, but also citizens are not safe, and that it was possible perhaps even to intimidate the colleagues with the murder."

Pantic's son Nemanja said that he disagreed with the decision of a jury not to give out the award named after this father this year. He believes that the name of Milan Pantic is fading in this way, and said he held the Novosti management responsible. Nemanja said he will ask that the award is in the future given by his family.

Ratko Dmitrovic said that the decision was made because the jury found the candidates to be below the standards and criteria of this award.

"The decision of the jury in this way preserves the dignity of the award and the name of Milan Pantic. Awards of this kind are not given because of the award alone but also because of the people whose name they bear, and those who receive it. I am sorry that in this decision Nemanja sees something that is not there," said Dmitrovic.