Serbia's prison authorities deny leak of confidential talks, no explanation

The issue came to the public focus after some media published the statements by three suspected members of an arrested criminal group. They alleged links with President Aleksandar Vucic, Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin and some other high-ranked officials of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
All the mentioned denied the allegations, saying the suspected criminals, who had a legal right to lie, had an advisor on building the defence.

However, the Bar Association asked how the statements leaked, suggesting they came from the suspects' conversation with a lawyer.

Serbia's Justice Minister Maja Popovicsaid the person or persons who handed transcripts of statements by arrested criminals to the media committed a crime but did not suggest who that might be.

On Friday, the Administration said it "insists on respecting the rights of the detainees in all aspects, including their confidential conversation with attorneys as guaranteed by the Constitution and international conventions."

Popovic said that suspects could lie to defend themselves but that witnesses should not or face perjury charges.

The Administration added it had acted "in line with the law and carried out the respective courts' decision."

However, it did not even suggest how the statements, which caused concerns and might imperil the whole case, could leak.