
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday that he can only pardon people who committed felonies not misdemeanors and expressed the hope that the protesters sentenced in misdemeanor courts would be freed on appeal.
He said that he believes that the people responsible are the ones who abused the young protesters.
“Some people have been sentenced for misdemeanors and some are undergoing criminal proceedings. I have the right to pardon them after they are sentenced in criminal proceedings not in misdemeanor proceedings,” Vucic said.
According to the president, someone called those young people to join the protest march and then led them into the state TV (RTS) building and forced them to some illegal things.
“Those people did not expose themselves. They are hiding behind a girl when they register the protest gatherings. They are hiding behind them and then they lead them into violence and keeping themselves safe without caring for others,” he said.
He spoke out against a protest in front of the pro-government TV Pink, saying that station was private property and added that anyone blocking roads would be held accountable under the law. “March wherever you want but you can’t break into private property and public companies,” the president said.