Criminal Complaint Lacks Legal Logic: 'Authorities are washing themselves clean through Aleksandar Radić of a sonic cannon that caused them the greatest damage'

Serbian authorities have filed criminal charges and issued an arrest warrant for military analyst Aleksandar Radić, who is accused of discussing the use of a sonic cannon. The move has drawn sharp criticism from his legal team and media observers, who argue the prosecution lacks legal logic and is politically motivated.

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I really don't know how anyone can conclude that someone who cooperated in the pre-investigation process is now on the run, and no document or summons has been served to him.

Radić's lawyer, Stefan Ćorda, expressed bewilderment at the situation. He stated that Radić had cooperated with pre-investigation proceedings and had not been served any documents or summons before the warrant was issued. Ćorda claims Radić is currently abroad because his safety was threatened in Serbia. "I really don't know how anyone can conclude that someone who cooperated in the pre-investigation process is now on the run, and no document or summons has been served to him," Ćorda said.

The prosecution, represented by the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office (VJT), stated that an analysis of Radić's phone revealed communications with multiple individuals, including journalists, about the sonic cannon. They claim Radić expressed doubts and made assertions about the weapon's use and potential perpetrators. These communications have been made public by the prosecution.

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Accusing someone who is also a journalist for inquiring about what happened and providing explanations, and then characterizing it as a criminal offense, is a political message from this government.

However, journalists and legal experts view these actions as an attempt to intimidate and silence critics. "Accusing someone who is also a journalist for inquiring about what happened and providing explanations, and then characterizing it as a criminal offense, is a political message from this government," said journalist Andrej Ivanji. He and others, like Ivan Milićević of Nova.rs, believe the authorities are trying to deflect blame for the events of March 15 last year, which they argue caused the government the most significant damage. Ivanji described the approach as "the best defense is an attack," warning against loud criticism.

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The message is the same - intimidation, flexing power, and, as I said, an attempt to wash themselves clean of the event that actually caused them the greatest damage, and that is March 15 last year.

Radić is suspected of preparing acts against the constitutional order and revealing state secrets. His lawyer contends that the charges are vague and illogical, mentioning assumptions of an "organized criminal group" and "serious organized force" without specifying targets. "That's why I believe this is persecution against him and that it has little to do with the law," Ćorda stated. Vladica Ilić, a lawyer from the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, also sees no legal basis for the proceedings.

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Don't shake things up, don't talk, don't criticize too loudly, because who knows what might happen to you.