Man accused of abusing old woman becomes DSS official

Social worker Branko Mrda, accused of beating an 81-year-old woman, has recently become a DSS official. Mrda is facing charges that include battering the woman in order to gain rights to ownership over her apartment. Man accused of abusing old woman becomes DSS official B92 reported about the case in which the woman sustained grievous injuries, prompting the State Prosecution and Ministry of Labor and Social Policies to file criminal complaints against the newly-appointed Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) official. Mrda's office is now that of chairman of a DSS Belgrade municipal board, and he is in charge of – social policy. B92 learned about this appointment from a letter sent to us, signed by "disappointed DSS members", which described the decision as "shameful". But local party officials said they were not at liberty to discuss the controversy without DSS spokesman Andrija Mladenovic's consent. Mladenovic himself has so far been unavailable for any kind of comment. Mrda is an employee of the City Social Policy Center, and has not been suspended from his duties even with an ongoing criminal procedure against him. Mrda and his wife are both accused of physically abusing the woman after signing a contract according to which they were set to inherit her apartment in exchange for providing care and financial support. B92 has unofficially been told that "the bruises can come as a result of self-inflicted injuries but also through accidents, such as falling". The alleged victim has been placed in a private nursing home in September. In the meantime, the accused and his attorney, former Justice Minister Zoran Stojkovic, also a DSS member, have refused to comment on the latest developments surrounding the case. The DSS is the second-largest party of the ruling Serbian coalition, whose president, Vojislav Kostunca, is also the country's prime minister.

Man accused of abusing old woman becomes DSS official

B92 reported about the case in which the woman sustained grievous injuries, prompting the State Prosecution and Ministry of Labor and Social Policies to file criminal complaints against the newly-appointed Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) official.

Mrda's office is now that of chairman of a DSS Belgrade municipal board, and he is in charge of – social policy.

B92 learned about this appointment from a letter sent to us, signed by "disappointed DSS members", which described the decision as "shameful".

But local party officials said they were not at liberty to discuss the controversy without DSS spokesman Andrija Mladenović's consent.

Mladenović himself has so far been unavailable for any kind of comment.

Mrda is an employee of the City Social Policy Center, and has not been suspended from his duties even with an ongoing criminal procedure against him.

Mrda and his wife are both accused of physically abusing the woman after signing a contract according to which they were set to inherit her apartment in exchange for providing care and financial support.

B92 has unofficially been told that "the bruises can come as a result of self-inflicted injuries but also through accidents, such as falling".

The alleged victim has been placed in a private nursing home in September.

In the meantime, the accused and his attorney, former Justice Minister Zoran Stojković, also a DSS member, have refused to comment on the latest developments surrounding the case.

The DSS is the second-largest party of the ruling Serbian coalition, whose president, Vojislav Koštunca, is also the country's prime minister.