SRS calls for Seselj's immediate release

BELGRADE - Supporters of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) called on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) during a protest on Saturday to immediately and unconditionally release their leader Vojislav Seselj.

At a rally held at Republic Square in Belgrade, which passed off without any incident, numerous SRS officials fiercely criticized the government, noting that it is evident that Seselj will come to Serbia despite the media blackout.

SRS Vice-President Nemanja Sarovic said that Seselj will never accept what the ICTY and the Serbian government conceived - to keep him in home detention without a phone or any other communication channel.

He underscored that without freedom of movement, freedom of speech, freedom of thought and public appearances, Seselj's transfer from The Hague to Belgrade would be a transfer to just another prison.

“I am making it clear to (Prime Minister) Aleksandar Vucic that he should not even try to arrest Seselj- he should remember the fate of all those who arrested Seselj from Tito to ( the late prime minister Zoran) Djindjic,” he said.

The protesters, including leaders of the far-right movements Obraz and Nasi, carried flags with the party's symbols, and had badges, T-shirts with the picture of the SRS leader.

The protest, which was secured by police and the party's security guards, ended with a walk through downtown Belgrade.
Earlier this week, Seselj informed the ICTY trial chamber that if granted provisional release, he would not accept any limitations excluding not leaving the territory of Serbia.

Seselj voluntarily surrendered himself to the ICTY on February 23, 2003. He pleaded not guilty to all counts in an indictment...