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Aleksandar Radić: home search, devices seized
The most serious action was taken against military analyst Aleksandar Radić. On Monday, June 22, police searched his apartment - at which point, according to Radić, the Military Police was involved due to sensitive materials he possesses. His computers and archival materials were seized and sent for forensic analysis. On Tuesday, Radić was questioned at the Criminal Police Directorate.
His lawyer, Stefan Ćorda, told N1 that Radić was "questioned, among other things, about his media appearances and statements about the sound cannon" and that during the apartment search, three prosecutors from the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office rotated.
"There are no elements of a criminal offense," said the lawyer, calling the proceedings a "witch hunt."
His lawyer, Stefan Ćorda, told N1 that Radić was "questioned, among other things, about his media appearances and statements about the sound cannon" and that during the apartment search, three prosecutors from the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office rotated.
"There are no elements of a criminal offense," said the lawyer, calling the proceedings a "witch hunt."
Dejan Zlatanović: questioned about sources and media coordination
On Tuesday, editor-in-chief of Srbin.info Dejan Zlatanović told Beta that he was questioned for over an hour at the Criminal Police Directorate's headquarters in the Palace of Serbia. He said he received two calls - one from the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) and one from a Criminal Police inspector - and that police had previously come looking for him at his parents' home.
The questions he was asked are revealing. Inspectors wanted to know how Srbin.info obtained statements from politicians who had accused President Vučić of deploying the sound cannon. They also asked whether the outlet's live stream on March 15 had been "synchronized" with television channels N1 or Nova.rs.
The framing of that question - whether separate media outlets were coordinating their coverage of the protest in real time - suggests the investigation is treating independent journalism as potential evidence of conspiracy.
The questions he was asked are revealing. Inspectors wanted to know how Srbin.info obtained statements from politicians who had accused President Vučić of deploying the sound cannon. They also asked whether the outlet's live stream on March 15 had been "synchronized" with television channels N1 or Nova.rs.
The framing of that question - whether separate media outlets were coordinating their coverage of the protest in real time - suggests the investigation is treating independent journalism as potential evidence of conspiracy.
Aleksandar Olenik: questioned as a lawyer representing victims
On Wednesday, lawyer and vice-president of the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina Aleksandar Olenik was questioned for over two hours. Olenik represents victims of the March 15 incident and has spoken publicly about the sound cannon in that capacity.
"They were interested in where my knowledge about the sound cannon comes from," he said after the interview. "I have the right and the obligation, as an attorney representing injured parties, to speak publicly - so that citizens know that on March 15, state terrorism entered a new phase through the use of sonic weapons."
Olenik announced that he would file a criminal complaint against the VJT prosecutor handling the case, arguing that "the pre-investigative proceedings are being conducted without any legal basis." He added: "It cannot be allowed to remain only at this - that someone publicly attempts to turn victims into perpetrators. That is the greatest injustice."
"They were interested in where my knowledge about the sound cannon comes from," he said after the interview. "I have the right and the obligation, as an attorney representing injured parties, to speak publicly - so that citizens know that on March 15, state terrorism entered a new phase through the use of sonic weapons."
Olenik announced that he would file a criminal complaint against the VJT prosecutor handling the case, arguing that "the pre-investigative proceedings are being conducted without any legal basis." He added: "It cannot be allowed to remain only at this - that someone publicly attempts to turn victims into perpetrators. That is the greatest injustice."
What this means
The three cases illustrate the breadth of who is now being targeted: a security analyst who commented on the incident, a journalist whose outlet covered it live, and a lawyer who represented victims. In Radić's case, a home search and device seizure have already taken place - measures that go well beyond an informational interview.
All three are being investigated under the charges outlined in last week's press release: incitement to violent overthrow of the constitutional order under Article 309, or any other criminal offense prosecuted ex officio.
All three are being investigated under the charges outlined in last week's press release: incitement to violent overthrow of the constitutional order under Article 309, or any other criminal offense prosecuted ex officio.
