Shareholders scuffle with factory security

Some 100 small shareholders of a textile factory in Kragujevac spent last night in front of the plant. Previously, they were thrown out of the former 22. December factory premises by its private security, after an incident when two persons were hurt in a scuffle. Shareholders scuffle with factory security This morning a police cordon has been set up in front of the factory grounds. Shareholders' representative Velimir Lazic says the night went peacefully, and that some 100 shareholders are now at the entrance to the factory, while 30 former workers are inside the grounds. Lazic said that the shareholders "promised the police they would not cause incidents, but that they now expect the promise that they will be able to talk to someone with jurisdiction from the Belgrade institutions to be honored too". He also said that the shareholder association he represents will file a criminal complaint against company director Miroljub Krstic, majority owner Milan Spasojevic and members of their security. The shareholders, former factory workers, tried to force their way into the factory when the incident happened. A squad or riot police had to join the regular police cordon to prevent further fighting. On Sunday afternoon, the private security first threw out several dozen former workers who blocked the factory's work and demanded a revision of its privatization and a redistribution of shares. After this, the shareholders gathered as well, determined to continue with the blockade until their demands had been met. Previously, they stopped the factory's functioning for five months, despite court decisions that ordered them to allow the privatized company to work. The small shareholders accuse the new owner of "ruining the factory" and wish to have it divided into two shareholder societies.

Shareholders scuffle with factory security

This morning a police cordon has been set up in front of the factory grounds.

Shareholders' representative Velimir Lazić says the night went peacefully, and that some 100 shareholders are now at the entrance to the factory, while 30 former workers are inside the grounds.

Lazić said that the shareholders "promised the police they would not cause incidents, but that they now expect the promise that they will be able to talk to someone with jurisdiction from the Belgrade institutions to be honored too".

He also said that the shareholder association he represents will file a criminal complaint against company director Miroljub Krstić, majority owner Milan Spasojević and members of their security.

The shareholders, former factory workers, tried to force their way into the factory when the incident happened. A squad or riot police had to join the regular police cordon to prevent further fighting.

On Sunday afternoon, the private security first threw out several dozen former workers who blocked the factory's work and demanded a revision of its privatization and a redistribution of shares.

After this, the shareholders gathered as well, determined to continue with the blockade until their demands had been met.

Previously, they stopped the factory's functioning for five months, despite court decisions that ordered them to allow the privatized company to work.

The small shareholders accuse the new owner of "ruining the factory" and wish to have it divided into two shareholder societies.