Mira Markovic denies involvement in Curuvija's murder

Mira Markovic denies involvement in Curuvija's murder

Mirjana Markovic, the widow of former Serbian and Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, says she did not take part in the murder of Slavko Curuvija.

The media earlier this week carried reports, quoting an official police note, accusing Markovic of "giving the order to kill Curuvija."

The Belgrade-based weekly NIN reached out for comment to Markovic, a former leader of the Yugoslav Left (JUL) party, that was in power in 1999 when the murder took place.

Markovic, who now lives in Moscow, was asked "why she never reacted to such a serious accusation," and replied:

"These accusations have been ongoing for 20 years. Perhaps I should have been more energetic in immediately denying them, but Slobodan thought we shouldn't embarrass ourselves and react to various accusations. I cannot be denying every day that I killed somebody, there is no mechanism that can protect a person from such accusations and such propaganda."

Asked whether she was aware that the media reports said there was an official note originating from then MUP's Public Security Department chief Vlastimir Djordjevic, that said she gave the order, Markovic replied that this was "not true," and added:

"I've never heard of him (Djordjevic), I don't even know who this man is. And why would I be killing Curuvija, why do I mind him? Why would I kill Curuvija?"

She then added that she never considered testifying, if asked, via video link - in the trial that opened earlier this week in Belgrade - and that she had not been in a position to give orders to the former state security service (DB).

"How could I do that? I did not control even the ministries, nor was I...