Serbia MPs Defend Attacks on Reporters at Vucic Swearing-In Ceremony

Several MPs from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party have excused the attacks on journalists that took place on May 31, when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic was sworn in - as the EU again warns Serbia about its treatment of journalists.

Progressive Party MP Vladimir Djukanovic wrote on Twitter on Tuesday that he gave "full support to the guys" who removed those who "came to provoke" from the party's celebratory rally.

"I personally stand up in the party for awarding and commending the guys who prevented provocateurs from causing incidents at the rally," Djukanovic wrote.

Several media outlets that day published photos of ruffians who violently prevented journalists from reporting about other incidents on the swearing-in of President Aleksandar Vucic on May 31.

The inauguration day was marred by several incidents, including attacks on journalists and opposition activists.

The photos showed men choking and pulling journalists and photographers from the ceremony, which police were supposed to secure.

Following complaints about the incidents, Vucic on June 1 said he had heard nothing about any attacks - but apologized to those who were attacked, also blaming the incidents on those "who came to provoke", however.

The day was also marked by rival gatherings of members of the Progressive Party and an opposition protest later on.

During the inauguration ceremony, anti-government activists from the "Against the Dictatorship" movement tried to hold up placards bearing anti-Vucic messages, but were prevented from doing so by Progressive Party supporters, who also tore down the placards.  

Another Progressive Party MP, Marijan Risticevic, wrote on Twitter that anyone who prevented violence at the...