"Results expected in cases of murders of journalists"

BELGRADE First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vucic has told B92 that he expects concrete results "soon" in investigations led into the murders of journalists in Serbia. He added that he also expects completion of all investigations of disputed privatization by the end of 2013. "Results expected in cases of murders of journalists" "By nature, I'm not optimistic, but I am confident that we will have concrete results in one and possibly two cases of killings of journalists after many years in which there was no truth and justice. It is important to respect the principles of justice and fairness, but also for the victims and families of victims to resolve it," Vucic said. The SNS leader noted that in addition, results of the investigations related to the 24 disputed privatization are expected, which, according to him, will be completed by the end of the year. "What remains is to finish the big cases. We are working on everything from C Market to Port of Belgrade. All these cases are being processed, none is intact any longer. By the end of the year I expect results, and that all investigations are completed. Then prosecutors will accept or reject the results and raise indictment or charges, or say that there was no crime," said Vucic. He rejected accusations coming from the opposition that the government in the past year had the least results in the fight against organized crime. "I am shocked by these accusations, as I said in parliament, it seems to me that those who uttered these charges felt embarrassed at least for a while. In the areas of combating organized crime, there have been 117 indictments, and 113 have been confirmed. Nine persons are on trial, and one final verdict has been delivered. This also shows the efficiency of the judiciary. In the same period there were 63 more indictments based on previous investigations," Vucic said, adding that "lawyers sometimes jokingly complain that they cannot respond to everything coming their way from the prosecution." Referring to the case of fugitive drug lord Darko Saric, Vucic admitted to making a mistake when he said earlier that the suspect would be arrested by the middle of this year. "In cooperation with the world's most powerful agencies we are working to bring in Mr. Saric. Mr. Saric is one to whose capture, detention, justice, we are committed to the maximum. We will finish it. I was inexperienced when I said that I expected this to happen by the end of June, and I will not make predictions again. I do not want to reveal the phase all this is in, but I have already said that we are working with the world's most powerful teams, that in itself is a solid guarantee that the hard work which is our duty (will be done)," Vucic stated. Vucic - who is also coordinating a bureau of security services - ruled out the possibility that Saric enjoyed protection "from someone", asserted that "no one can interfere with the (security) organs," and added: "Other stories do not interest me." (Tanjug, file) B92

"Results expected in cases of murders of journalists"

"By nature, I'm not optimistic, but I am confident that we will have concrete results in one and possibly two cases of killings of journalists after many years in which there was no truth and justice. It is important to respect the principles of justice and fairness, but also for the victims and families of victims to resolve it," Vučić said.

The SNS leader noted that in addition, results of the investigations related to the 24 disputed privatization are expected, which, according to him, will be completed by the end of the year.

"What remains is to finish the big cases. We are working on everything from C Market to Port of Belgrade. All these cases are being processed, none is intact any longer. By the end of the year I expect results, and that all investigations are completed. Then prosecutors will accept or reject the results and raise indictment or charges, or say that there was no crime," said Vučić.

He rejected accusations coming from the opposition that the government in the past year had the least results in the fight against organized crime.

"I am shocked by these accusations, as I said in parliament, it seems to me that those who uttered these charges felt embarrassed at least for a while. In the areas of combating organized crime, there have been 117 indictments, and 113 have been confirmed. Nine persons are on trial, and one final verdict has been delivered. This also shows the efficiency of the judiciary. In the same period there were 63 more indictments based on previous investigations," Vučić said, adding that "lawyers sometimes jokingly complain that they cannot respond to everything coming their way from the prosecution."

Referring to the case of fugitive drug lord Darko Šarić, Vučić admitted to making a mistake when he said earlier that the suspect would be arrested by the middle of this year.

"In cooperation with the world's most powerful agencies we are working to bring in Mr. Šarić. Mr. Šarić is one to whose capture, detention, justice, we are committed to the maximum. We will finish it. I was inexperienced when I said that I expected this to happen by the end of June, and I will not make predictions again. I do not want to reveal the phase all this is in, but I have already said that we are working with the world's most powerful teams, that in itself is a solid guarantee that the hard work which is our duty (will be done)," Vučić stated.

Vučić - who is also coordinating a bureau of security services - ruled out the possibility that Šarić enjoyed protection "from someone", asserted that "no one can interfere with the (security) organs," and added: "Other stories do not interest me."