Udovicic: Murderer must be severely punished

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Youth and Sports Vanja Udovicic demanded that the Turkish authorities conduct an urgent investigation into the murder of Crvena Zvezda fan Marko Ivkovic, establish the responsibility of all those involved in the tragedy, and punish the perpetrator most severely.

I am certain that this is what the national and international public expects from the Republic of Turkey, Udovicic said in a telephone conversation with Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Akif Cagatay K?l?c on Saturday.

The fact that someone lost their life at a sports match is the most terrifying and tragic defeat for sport, a thing so unacceptable and tragic that all measures must be taken to prevent it from happening ever again, Udovicic stressed.

The Turkish sports minister pledged that the country's authorities will conduct an urgent investigation and identify the person responsible for the murder of the Serbian youth.

Marko Ivkovic (25) was stabbed to death on November 21 in Istanbul, at the rear of a group of Serbian basketball fans attacked by Galatasaray supporters, while he was moving away from the clashes in which he did not participate.

Photo Tanjug, O. Toskic (archive photo)