Serbian Movement Plans Criminal Charges Against Top Officials Over Fire Response

The Serbian movement "Kreni-promeni" (Move-Change) announced its intention to file criminal charges against several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Đura Macut, President Aleksandar Vučić, Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, and Luka Čaušić, head of the Interior Ministry's emergency sector. The charges stem from the officials' alleged conduct during a recent fire incident.

Savo Manojlović, representing "Kreni-promeni," stated on Instagram that the officials are suspected of committing crimes related to "failure to remove danger" and "negligent performance of duty." Manojlović recalled that on August 10 and 13, the movement had publicly urged Serbia to seek international aid for firefighting, citing expert assessments that indicated its necessity.

According to the movement's statement, President Vučić "categorically rejected" international assistance offered by the EU and Russia on August 16, reportedly stating, "We can handle it ourselves, there is no reason to worry." This statement is contrasted with Interior Minister Dačić's earlier declaration on August 7, where he asserted that Serbia had never requested international fire-fighting aid because it was not needed.

"Kreni-promeni" pointed out a two-week gap between Dačić's statement and a subsequent announcement on August 21 by Luka Čaušić, head of the emergency sector, that Serbia had activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and requested assistance. The movement argues that this delay allowed the fire to spread, causing irreparable damage, and that the decisions made during this period warrant an investigation into accountability. The movement's legal team will detail the responsibility of each official in the criminal complaint.