Police hunting PM's killer

2003-03-17 15:38

Belgrade - Police continued their search for more suspects linked to the assassination of former prime minister Zoran Djindjic on Monday as his trusted allies prepared to take over the helm of the republic's government.

Security forces have already arrested a total of 318 people throughout Serbia five days after Djindjic was killed by a single sniper bullet in a parking lot of the Serbian government building.

But the main suspects have remained at large.

The authorities have blamed the Zemun gang led by Milorad Lukovic, who was commander of the Serbian special police force during the rule of former strongman Slobodan Milosevic of being behind the murder.

Justice Minister Vladan Batic has ordered a maximum security alert in all its prisons, insisting the measures would remain in effect during the state of emergency proclaimed throughout the country immediately after the murder.

The aim was to "prevent any communication between persons in custody and members of their families, friends or colleagues, whether by letter, postcard or mobile phone," Batic said in a statement on television.

State of emergency

Prisoners' visiting rights had also been suspended, said Batic, adding that checks and security guard numbers at prison buildings had also been reinforced.

Batic warned prison governors and staff they would face the stiffest penalties possible if they failed to carry out his orders.

Meanwhile police said that out of 318 people arrested, 307 had been placed in custody for a period of 30 days.

Serbia is still under a state of emergency imposed after the murder, allowing police to carry out arrests without warrants and keep suspects in detention for up to 30 days without charge.

Four of those arrested have demanded the status of "protected witness," the government said in a statement.

"Testimonies given so far confirmed that Zemun narco-cartel, assisted by members of security forces during Milosevic's rule, took part in political murders, traffic of drugs... and through the European network of dealers, connected with the Columbian narco-cartel," the statement said.

The government also blamed the group of being behind "numerous kidnappings and more than 50 murders".

"Assisted by their informers and hirelings from the police and state security they have managed to avoid arrest," it added.

Meanwhile, one of Djindjic's trusted allies Zoran Zivkovic was nominated by his party on Sunday to head the republic's government.

Healthy Serbia

Zivkovic, the number two in Djindjic's Democratic Party (DS), which leads Serbia's ruling DOS coalition, vowed that Belgrade would pursue Djindjic's legacy of reform.

"Political stability is a necessity," he said four days after Djindjic's killing sparked fears of instability not only in Serbia, but also across the tense Balkans region.

Zivkovic told party officials that Djindjic had "wanted a healthy Serbia, and we have to assume responsibility" for such pledges.

"We have to use this moment, not for us or our party, but for Serbia, whom we see as the leader in the Balkans, a (future) member of the European Union, a state with strong democratic institutions," the 42-year-old said.

He also pledged that Serbia would continue its cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in the Netherlands.

"We will respect our international obligations, we have the law on co-operation with the tribunal" already in force, Zivkovic said.

His nomination for prime minister still needs to be approved by the 250-seat Serbian parliament, which is dominated by the DOS. The assembly session is expected to be held in the coming week. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA