CoE alleges inhumane treatment of detained suspects

The CPT report said the Committee received many statements about inadequate police officers' behaviour toward the detained people, especially in larger cities, to coerce confessions, the Council of Europe said.

The inappropriate treatment includes slapping on the face, kicking, hitting even with police clubs and baseball bats, but also the usage of electric appliances to cause shocks during interrogations.

“Serbia’s institutions must accept the fact that such inadequate actions of their police officers exist. They are the isolated incidents committed by officers who went 'crazy' but an accepted practice in the current police culture especially by crime inspectors,” said the CPT report compiled after their visit to Serbia last June.

The CPT called on the authorities to take a different approach to police investigative methods which should be based on precise and relevant information and not on confessions.

It also insisted that the interrogation rooms should have both audio and video equipment.

The report urged authorities in Serbia to confront the absence of punishment common among different police forces.

It suggested probes into the allegations of inappropriate treatment and police officers who committed such crimes.

It also urges the authorities to correct the established deficiencies regarding late notices on detentions, public defenders’ service and the lack of confidentiality related to the medical examinations of the detainees.