Novi Pazar tense after incidents

MUP forces were this morning securing the scene of a shooting incident in Novi Pazar. Three people were hurt last night when a dispute over political party premises turned into a clash that included the use of firearms. Novi Pazar tense after incidents Members of an opposition coalition dubbed the Bosniak List first tried to enter a space located at the local culture center they previously leased. But the municipal authorities are disputing the validity of the lease contract. The coalition's leader, Sulejman Ugljanin, confirmed that three people were hurt on the scuffle. B92 can confirm that one of them was shot, but that his condition is not life-threatening. The victim, shot in the leg, was identified as Adnan Ganic, while Ahmed Asotic and Muniz Dzankovic received blows to their heads from blunt objects thrown at them, Ugljanin said. He also said that thanks to the police, the situation is calm today in this town, the largest in the southwestern Sandzak region of Serbia, which is predominantly Muslim. Ugljanin, a minister in the Serbian government, also appealed on citizens to do all to preserve peace and order. But the Bosniak List and the municipal government, led by the Sandzak Democratic Party (SDP) – which in turn is led by anther Serbian cabinet minister, Rasim Ljajic – are accusing each other for the incident. As the Bosniak List representatives tried to enter the premises, which are part of the town's administration, several town hall officials were present. The administration's statement this morning says that some 150 of Ugljanin's followers burst inside, breaking the glass on that part of the building. This was preceded by the municipal council's decision – adopted in September but executed recently – to end a lease that allowed Uglanin's party to rent the premises for a number of years. The contract on the lease was made while Ugljanin was Novi Pazar mayor. Novi Pazar is "relatively calm" this afternoon, Mayor Mirsad Djerlek told B92, but added that the situation is "far from being completely stable". Although no new incidents were reported on Sunday, Djerlek said, "the situation is not at all simple". Police in the meantime ordered everyone out of the contentious premises until courts decide who has the right to use them. MUP Directorate Chief Milorad Veljovic issued the order, which will keep everyone except the officers deployed there out of the building. Earlier, it was reported that MUP officers were on heightened alert in order to maintain public peace and order. Tanjug said this afternoon that police had taken in four persons involved in the incident late on Saturday, and released them after the usual procedure. As a preventive measure, police are securing important facilities in the town and residencies of top state and local officials. A MUP officer at the scene this morning (Tanjug) Ugljanin blames Ljajic, Zukorlic Sulejman Ugljanin reacted this Sunday by saying that last night's incidents were aimed at violently halting the work of his coalition. He pointed the finger at Rasim Ljajic and Chief Mufti of the Islamic Community in Serbia Muamer Zukorlic, by saying that a group of people sent by the two is responsible for the violence. SDP blames Ugljanin, police, "some in Belgrade" The SDP said this morning it will ask the Serbian government to take measures against Ugljanin, who is minister without portfolio in the cabinet. "The SDP is demanding that Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic undertakes urgent measures against his minister without portfolio, because it is impermissible for a member of the government to command and lead a raid into a building owned by a state institution," party official Meho Omerovic said. He added that this party will also ask for police chiefs in Novi Pazar to be sacked, since they "allowed for an attempt to destroy the state order to take place before their very eyes". "Even though they were informed it time about what was going to happen, even though they were physically only 100 meters away from the scene, police representatives showed up only 30 minutes later, when the hooligans had already finished their conquering foray," Omerovic was quoted as saying. Now MPs from the ranks of the SDP will take other measures in parliament, he added. Omerovic said that they would "no longer allow someone to retaliate against the residents of Novi Pazar and destroy the town", referring to Uglanin, who was voted out of office in the last local elections. But the SDP official also said it is "particularly worrying" that Ugljanin has backing for his actions "from some people in Belgrade". "The SDP will no longe, for the sake of higher interests. keep quiet faced with terror and blackmail conducted by Sulejman Ugljanin," Omerovic said.

Novi Pazar tense after incidents

Members of an opposition coalition dubbed the Bosniak List first tried to enter a space located at the local culture center they previously leased. But the municipal authorities are disputing the validity of the lease contract.

The coalition's leader, Sulejman Ugljanin, confirmed that three people were hurt on the scuffle. B92 can confirm that one of them was shot, but that his condition is not life-threatening.

The victim, shot in the leg, was identified as Adnan Ganić, while Ahmed Asotić and Muniz Džanković received blows to their heads from blunt objects thrown at them, Ugljanin said.

He also said that thanks to the police, the situation is calm today in this town, the largest in the southwestern Sandžak region of Serbia, which is predominantly Muslim.

Ugljanin, a minister in the Serbian government, also appealed on citizens to do all to preserve peace and order.

But the Bosniak List and the municipal government, led by the Sandžak Democratic Party (SDP) – which in turn is led by anther Serbian cabinet minister, Rasim Ljajić – are accusing each other for the incident.

As the Bosniak List representatives tried to enter the premises, which are part of the town's administration, several town hall officials were present.

The administration's statement this morning says that some 150 of Ugljanin's followers burst inside, breaking the glass on that part of the building.

This was preceded by the municipal council's decision – adopted in September but executed recently – to end a lease that allowed Uglanin's party to rent the premises for a number of years.

The contract on the lease was made while Ugljanin was Novi Pazar mayor.

Novi Pazar is "relatively calm" this afternoon, Mayor Mirsad Đerlek told B92, but added that the situation is "far from being completely stable".

Although no new incidents were reported on Sunday, Đerlek said, "the situation is not at all simple".

Police in the meantime ordered everyone out of the contentious premises until courts decide who has the right to use them. MUP Directorate Chief Milorad Veljović issued the order, which will keep everyone except the officers deployed there out of the building.

Earlier, it was reported that MUP officers were on heightened alert in order to maintain public peace and order.

Tanjug said this afternoon that police had taken in four persons involved in the incident late on Saturday, and released them after the usual procedure.

As a preventive measure, police are securing important facilities in the town and residencies of top state and local officials.

Ugljanin blames Ljajić, Zukorlić

Sulejman Ugljanin reacted this Sunday by saying that last night's incidents were aimed at violently halting the work of his coalition.

He pointed the finger at Rasim Ljajić and Chief Mufti of the Islamic Community in Serbia Muamer Zukorlić, by saying that a group of people sent by the two is responsible for the violence.

SDP blames Ugljanin, police, "some in Belgrade"

The SDP said this morning it will ask the Serbian government to take measures against Ugljanin, who is minister without portfolio in the cabinet.

"The SDP is demanding that Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković undertakes urgent measures against his minister without portfolio, because it is impermissible for a member of the government to command and lead a raid into a building owned by a state institution," party official Meho Omerović said.

He added that this party will also ask for police chiefs in Novi Pazar to be sacked, since they "allowed for an attempt to destroy the state order to take place before their very eyes".

"Even though they were informed it time about what was going to happen, even though they were physically only 100 meters away from the scene, police representatives showed up only 30 minutes later, when the hooligans had already finished their conquering foray," Omerović was quoted as saying.

Now MPs from the ranks of the SDP will take other measures in parliament, he added.

Omerović said that they would "no longer allow someone to retaliate against the residents of Novi Pazar and destroy the town", referring to Uglanin, who was voted out of office in the last local elections.

But the SDP official also said it is "particularly worrying" that Ugljanin has backing for his actions "from some people in Belgrade".

"The SDP will no longe, for the sake of higher interests. keep quiet faced with terror and blackmail conducted by Sulejman Ugljanin," Omerović said.