Parliament board of inquiry stopped at request of families

“The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia received on July 21, 2023 a request from the families of the victims in the tragedy that took place at the Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school and their legal representatives to end any activities by the board of inquiry until the criminal proceedings are concluded before the prosecution and courts. Bearing in mind all the reasons listed in the request and in line with the views of MP groups, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia accepts this request and ends futher activities and the work of the board of inquiry,” the statement from the Speaker's cabinet said.

The families’ lawyer Zora Dobricana Nikodinovic said earlier in the day that lawyers for the Vladislav Ribnikar school victims’ families filed a written request to immediately stop the activities of the board of inquiry for the sake of the investigation. It said the lawyers and families all agree that the board’s activities could jeopardize the investigation by making public evidence before the trial. The families also appealed to the government and judiciary to release statements protecting the prosecutors and courts.

The request was sent to President Aleksandar Vucic, Parliament Speaker Vladimir Orlic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Justice Minister Maja Popovic, Supreme Public Prosecutor Zagora Dolovac, President of the High Council of Prosecutors Branko Stamenkovac and Supreme Court President Jasmina Vasovic.

The board of inquiry was formed on July 18 and met twice to look into the causes of the mass shootings.