25. 08. 2012

NIN EDITOR BASHED BY POLICE

Belgrade, August 25, 2012 (Blic) - Members of the Belgrade Police Force brutally attacked, cuffed and threatened with guns NIN technical editor Vladimir Piacun (39) in downtown Belgrade yesterday. Piacun was taken into custody and ordered 48-hour police detention for violent behavior.

According to the witnesses, the incident occurred when a group of unmarked police officers driving in a private, unmarked car "Toyota" intercepted Piacun on a motorcycle. Without any warning and not presenting their police badges, the police officers started to hit Piacun, threw him to the ground and cuffed him. The officers continued to kick him while journalist was on the ground lying face down and one of them, without any apparent reason, took out his gun from a holster. Only when security guards from a company nearby ran to them had one of the officers pulled out his badge.

Police Minister Ivica Dacic was informed about the incident that had occurred, as it was assumed, because of a traffic tiff. Nevertheless, the force that the police officers had excercised was inappropriate and unnecessary, claims Nebojsa Spaic, Chief Editor of the Belgrade weekly NIN.