Tadić bemoans "unbroken thread of violence"

President Boris Tadic says that combating violence, which has its roots in the Nineties, is the top priority, as violence leads to fascism. This struggle is a priority and more important than European integration or any other issue in Serbia today, as violence ultimately led to fascism, Tadic told journalists in Belgrade. Tadic bemoans "unbroken thread of violence" He was in Republic Square to lay flowers and light a candle in memory of Brice Taton, the Frenchman beaten to death by hooligans in central Belgrade. "I see an unbroken thread between the violence of the Nineties, the monstrous crimes in the former Yugoslavia, the support for the strikes by the Special Operations Unit, the political language that voices its fury against so-called traitors and the constant search for enemies in society,“ said the president. “That thread is clearly visible and it must no longer be ignored,“ said Tadic, stressing that the situation should not be politically manipulated, but that, rather, a rational solution should be found. The president said that this was why it was very important to identify groups and individuals who were the brains and the perpetrators of violence and ideas that inspired violence in society. He said that this was something that should be discussed by intellectuals and social, cultural and church representatives. Tadic said that no institution had any right to create an atmosphere of violence, as that had led to tragedies like Taton’s death. “A great deal has been said about the names of streets in recent days,“ said the president, proposing that one should carry Taton’s name. Boris Tadic (FoNet) France's Yade, Delic pay tribute to Taton Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic and French Sport Minister Rama Yade paid their respects to murdered French football fan Brice Taton in Belgrade today. The two placed a wreath in Belgrade’s Republic Square and lit candles in honor of the young man who was killed in a brutal assault by football hooligans on September 17. Djelic told reporters that this gesture showed that Serbia and France were determined to ensure that this crime did not go unpunished and that the perpetrators received maximum sentences. “Serbia will not tolerate those who want to pick on others just because they are different,” Djelic said. “In the coming period, Serbia will show that it is a lawful state where extremist groups will be outlawed,” he said, adding that all of society would support the efforts of the state to build a European society, in which foreigners were always welcome. He said that it was vital for Serbian citizens to build a tolerant society themselves. Yade said that this “monstrous crime” would not affect relations between Serbia and France. “The French public was deeply saddened and reacted emotionally to this violent death, but we know that the Serbian government is dedicated to ensuring that all the perpetrators will be arrested and sentenced accordingly,” the French minister said. She said that France did not want to judge Serbia on this tragedy alone, adding that she was comforted by the Serbian government’s determination to combat violence in sport. Earlier, Yade, who arrived in Belgrade yesterday, said after meeting with Interior Minister Ivica Dacic that she hoped that all those suspected of the murder of Brice Taton would be arrested and brought to justice. “I met Brice Taton’s parents. They are very proud and courageous people. They didn’t expect to be bringing their son back to France in a coffin. France is in mourning over Taton and the public has been shaken by this crime,” said Yade. “We know that nothing will bring Brice Taton back, but we want to pay tribute to him. The minister told me, and we hope it will be so, that all the culprits will be arrested, brought to justice and made to pay for this heinous crime,“ she said. Dacic said that ten suspects had so far been arrested in the case and that the hunt was on for another two. “Everything that’s going on will be a big warning for us to erase the consequences and put a stop to vandalism, hooliganism and crime, which hides behind various supporters’ groups and various other extremist organizations. We will do our utmost to sanction the perpetrators of this murder,” said the minister. Tadic demands increased security President Boris Tadic has called on the authorities to take decisive action to ensure full security for all members of the public and property. The state of Serbia would not tolerate violence by hooligans and criminals, Tadic told a meeting of the National Security Council, the president’s press bureau reports. According to a statement, the meeting was called to assess the current security situation in the country. The council, which is chaired by Tadic, adopted draft decisions on general security and instructed the Interior and Justice Ministries to implement them as soon as possible. The council called on MUP to step up the police presence in public places where there is a heightened security risk, with a view to upholding law and order.

Tadić bemoans "unbroken thread of violence"

He was in Republic Square to lay flowers and light a candle in memory of Brice Taton, the Frenchman beaten to death by hooligans in central Belgrade.

"I see an unbroken thread between the violence of the Nineties, the monstrous crimes in the former Yugoslavia, the support for the strikes by the Special Operations Unit, the political language that voices its fury against so-called traitors and the constant search for enemies in society,“ said the president.

“That thread is clearly visible and it must no longer be ignored,“ said Tadić, stressing that the situation should not be politically manipulated, but that, rather, a rational solution should be found.

The president said that this was why it was very important to identify groups and individuals who were the brains and the perpetrators of violence and ideas that inspired violence in society.

He said that this was something that should be discussed by intellectuals and social, cultural and church representatives.

Tadić said that no institution had any right to create an atmosphere of violence, as that had led to tragedies like Taton’s death.

“A great deal has been said about the names of streets in recent days,“ said the president, proposing that one should carry Taton’s name.

France's Yade, Delić pay tribute to Taton

Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić and French Sport Minister Rama Yade paid their respects to murdered French football fan Brice Taton in Belgrade today.

The two placed a wreath in Belgrade’s Republic Square and lit candles in honor of the young man who was killed in a brutal assault by football hooligans on September 17.

Đelić told reporters that this gesture showed that Serbia and France were determined to ensure that this crime did not go unpunished and that the perpetrators received maximum sentences.

“Serbia will not tolerate those who want to pick on others just because they are different,” Đelić said.

“In the coming period, Serbia will show that it is a lawful state where extremist groups will be outlawed,” he said, adding that all of society would support the efforts of the state to build a European society, in which foreigners were always welcome.

He said that it was vital for Serbian citizens to build a tolerant society themselves.

Yade said that this “monstrous crime” would not affect relations between Serbia and France.

“The French public was deeply saddened and reacted emotionally to this violent death, but we know that the Serbian government is dedicated to ensuring that all the perpetrators will be arrested and sentenced accordingly,” the French minister said.

She said that France did not want to judge Serbia on this tragedy alone, adding that she was comforted by the Serbian government’s determination to combat violence in sport.

Earlier, Yade, who arrived in Belgrade yesterday, said after meeting with Interior Minister Ivica Dačić that she hoped that all those suspected of the murder of Brice Taton would be arrested and brought to justice.

“I met Brice Taton’s parents. They are very proud and courageous people. They didn’t expect to be bringing their son back to France in a coffin. France is in mourning over Taton and the public has been shaken by this crime,” said Yade.

“We know that nothing will bring Brice Taton back, but we want to pay tribute to him. The minister told me, and we hope it will be so, that all the culprits will be arrested, brought to justice and made to pay for this heinous crime,“ she said.

Dačić said that ten suspects had so far been arrested in the case and that the hunt was on for another two.

“Everything that’s going on will be a big warning for us to erase the consequences and put a stop to vandalism, hooliganism and crime, which hides behind various supporters’ groups and various other extremist organizations. We will do our utmost to sanction the perpetrators of this murder,” said the minister.

Tadić demands increased security

President Boris Tadić has called on the authorities to take decisive action to ensure full security for all members of the public and property.

The state of Serbia would not tolerate violence by hooligans and criminals, Tadić told a meeting of the National Security Council, the president’s press bureau reports.

According to a statement, the meeting was called to assess the current security situation in the country.

The council, which is chaired by Tadić, adopted draft decisions on general security and instructed the Interior and Justice Ministries to implement them as soon as possible.

The council called on MUP to step up the police presence in public places where there is a heightened security risk, with a view to upholding law and order.