EU "did not send demarche over ombudsman"

EU "did not send demarche over ombudsman"

"I have no information that the European Commission has sent any demarche, any act by which it discussed this issue at all," Miscevic told reporter in Krusevac.

She added that the issue of independent bodies is an important one contained in chapter 23 of the membership negotiations, "and will certainly be discussed."

Last week, several MPs of the ruling Serb Progressive Party (SNS) demanded the resignation of Citizens' Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, claiming that his 2014 report on human rights was "arbitrary and politicized."

The tabloid Informer on April 18 reported that Jankovic's friend Predrag Gojkovic committed suicide on April 1, 1993, in Jankovic's apartment and using his pistol, and alluded that the now ombudsman did not hold a proper license for the firearm.

Jankovic responded by saying that the pistol was duly registered in his name, that the police returned it to him after the investigation, and that he sold it several years later.

Commissioner for Information of Public Importance Rodoljub Sabic on Wednesday called on the Ministry of Interior to publish all information regarding the weapon used in the suicide.

"At the moment we have a situation in which, due to a campaign of some media based on allegations about Jankovic's 'illegal pistol,' his personal dignity is being brought into question, but through him also of an important institution, the citizens' ombudsman," Sabic told the Beta agency.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic also touched on the controversy on Wednesday to say he "highly respected the institution of the ombudsman," and that it must be preserved.

"As for what I think about the person (Jankovic), about that later," said Vucic.

The prime minister spoke after he was asked to comment on the concern voiced by the OSCE Mission to Serbia over the campaign against Jankovic, and also on FM Ivica Dacic's statement that "Jankovic needs protection." Vucic said he was "surprised by the hypocrisy of the whole society," and that the issue "has nothing to do with the government."

"What does the government have to do with somebody being killed using some gun," he asked.

Asked whether there was indeed a campaign against Jankovic, Ivica Dacic said that "the citizens' ombudsman should also have an ombudsman (protector), absolutely like any other person."

The minister pointed out that Jankovic was "not the only one" subjected to a negative campaign, and counted himself among those who experienced it, but noted that he "did see that the public was very concerned about that."

Dacic, however, stressed that "these issues should be solved in direct discussions, not through press releases," referring to a statement issued late on Tuesday by Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Michael Uyehara.

The statement expressed the mission's "concern about the ongoing campaign against the Serbian Ombudsman institution and Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic," and added:

“Independent institutions, responsible media, transparent government operating under the rule of law, as well as an accountable police service, are fundamental elements for the functioning of any democracy. Irresponsible reporting, including the deliberate use of allegations, rumors or insinuations and an absence of analytical debate within the institutions undermine citizens’ trust in their government.”

“The OSCE Mission will continue to support independent institutions, regulatory bodies and professional media in order to enable them to perform their unhindered oversight function,” said Uyehara.