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Savamala Demolition Anniversary: Opposition Says Justice Still Missing in Serbia
🇷🇸 Serbia /Conflict & Security

Savamala Demolition Anniversary: Opposition Says Justice Still Missing in Serbia

From N1 Serbia · (8m ago) Serbian Critical tone

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The demolition of private properties in Belgrade's Savamala district 10 years ago remains a symbol of impunity, with opposition figures stating that while those responsible are known, no one has been convicted.
  • Radomir Lazovic of the Green-Left Front described the overnight destruction as an act of violence against the city, alleging involvement of public institutions and state-level bodies due to the coordinated nature of the event, including power outages and police inaction.
  • Lazovic criticized the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) for creating a

Ten years on, the Savamala demolition continues to haunt Belgrade, a stark reminder of the impunity enjoyed by those in power. As Radomir Lazovic of the Green-Left Front rightly points out, the public knows who orchestrated this brazen act of violence against private property and the city itself, yet justice remains elusive. The deliberate shutdown of streetlights, the removal of vehicles, and the baffling inaction of the police on that fateful night in April 2016 clearly indicated the involvement of public institutions, a coordinated effort that points to a systemic rot.

It was completely clear that Sinisa Mali was the most responsible. I have no doubt whether Sinisa Mali organized this or whether Aleksandar Vucic was involved. What we do not have are convictions.

— Radomir LazovicCo-leader of Serbia’s Green-Left Front, commenting on the 10th anniversary of the Savamala demolition.

Lazovic’s assertion that Sinisa Mali bears the most responsibility, with possible involvement from President Aleksandar Vucic, underscores the deep-seated corruption that plagues our nation. This is not merely a political dispute, as the President attempts to frame it, but a criminal matter that has been systematically swept under the rug. The collapse of the rule of law in the face of an organized group entrenched in power has led to a Serbia that lives under a system of political violence and institutional capture.

It is one thing if a group of masked men comes and demolishes a street. But in this case, the electricity distributor cut the power, public services removed cars, and the police deliberately redirected citizens from one phone number to another.

— Radomir LazovicDescribing the coordinated nature of the Savamala demolition, suggesting institutional involvement.

The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has effectively built a "state within a state," a paraparty apparatus designed to shield its loyalists across all public institutions. Until this party is removed from power, genuine progress for Serbian society is impossible. The Savamala case, inextricably linked to the controversial Belgrade Waterfront project and persistent allegations of abuse of power, serves as a potent symbol of this era. It is a testament to the urgent need for systemic change and accountability, a call that resonates deeply with citizens who yearn for a just and lawful society.

Nothing positive will happen in this society until the SNS is removed from power.

— Radomir LazovicOn the impact of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) on Serbian society.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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