Reuters: Serbian opposition figure to press on with hunger strike after health worsens

Reuters said the opposition Serbia Against Violence alliance, which placed second in a general election on December 17, has accused the ruling populist Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of widespread vote fraud, which the authorities deny.

“Marinika Tepic, who went on hunger strike along with five colleagues following the vote, was placed on twice daily intravenous drips following a deterioration in her health on Monday. In an interview, she told Reuters she was expecting a team of doctors later on Tuesday and planned to reject further medical advice to end her protest,” reported Reuters.

The agency added that the hunger strikers have been living inside the state election commission office in a building in the centre of Belgrade that once housed the parliament.

Speaking of her own children, Tepic broke into tears, reported Reuters.

“I tell them you will not be ashamed one day. We have to secure a better country for our children,” the agency quoted Tepic as saying.

Reuters said Tepic accused authorities of including dead people on voter lists, and importing voters from Bosnia and Kosovo.

“We are seeking an international mission to conduct a revision of the entire election process. We want the election to be annulled and a new one to be held in 5-6 months but in better conditions,” the news agency quoted Tepic.

It noted that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won 46.72 percent of the votes in the snap parliamentary election, according to state election commission preliminary results. Serbia Against Violence (SPN) placed second with 23.56 percent of the vote, and the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) third with 6.56 percent.

An international monitoring mission last Monday said the ruling party had gained an unfair advantage through media bias, the improper influence of President Aleksandar Vucic and voting irregularities such as vote buying.

Serbia Against Violence has organized daily protests over the election results in front of the election commission. On Sunday evening the protest turned violent and 38 people were detained by the police.

“Complaints of election irregularities need to be properly investigated and addressed,” the European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

Reuters quoted the Commission as saying “while the right of peaceful demonstration is to be upheld, violence is not the solution and is unacceptable.”

“Police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights within the rule of law. The EU urges for calm and dialogue,” Reuters quoted the European Commission statement.