Ivanović writes letter, says he feels "safer"

Ivanović writes letter, says he feels "safer"

The Serb politician was arrested in late January on charges of involvement in an alleged war crime in 1999 and post-war incidents in 2000, including aggravated murder, and for inciting to ethnically motivated murder. He has denied these allegations.

In the letter published on Friday, Ivanović said he was "now safe, close to his family and lawyer, and much more optimistic about the future."

"I am deeply aware that I will have to refute the politically motivated charges in a painful process that is yet ahead of me and my lawyers," he stated.

"I notice a huge difference in the conditions and a sense of security, order that is in place, but it is not the most important thing - what's important is the fact that I am treated here as an accused person, but innocent until a court says otherwise," he wrote about his transfer to Kosovska Mitrovica, and added:

"Finally I'll be able to get some air, and feel free to walk in an enclosed space, according to the rules that apply in prison, but with a certain sense of freedom and under humane conditions."

"I must yet fight for my full freedom in the (court) procedure. You should also fight for my freedom, but also for yours, in a proper and dignified manner, by carrying out various representative duties that are important for the normal life of citizens in Kosovska Mitrovica," Ivanović said.

He once again thanked everyone who supported him, above all the citizens in Kosovska Mitrovica and elsewhere in northern Kosovo, the Serbian government, the prime minister and his first deputy, the minister in charge of Kosovo and Metohija, other ministers and politicians, the Serbian Orthodox Church, friends and associates.

In the letter he signed as "a political prisoner," Ivanović also urged the citizens to vote in Sunday's parliamentary elections, which will be held in the province as well, and said they should "fight for their freedom like the whole civilized world does."

"Vote according to your conscience and your own opinion. Do not underestimate yourself and your vote by easily deciding on personal sympathies or antipathies. Give your vote to the one you believe can do something for our country, and in that way for you and your families," said Ivanović.