Stefanovic to Braathu: We are shocked, offended by your statement

Stefanovic recalled in the letter that Braathu said this during a meeting with Serbia's Justice Minister Maja Popovic.

“We fail to share your obviously blurred perspective and wonder what you are actually talking about. Do you not see the ongoing obstruction and delays in the criminal proceedings in the Jovanjica case aimed at protecting a person close to the regime? Are you not aware of the criminal proceedings against the former State Secretary of the Serbian Internal Affairs Ministry, Dijana Hrkalovic, and the organized failure to make even minimal progress in this case?” Stefanovic asked.

He also asked Braathu where he sees “anti-corruption efforts,” adding that “it is a notorious fact and truth that the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) regime passed a special law preventing any public procedures and tenders, with the aim to spend over 17 billion euros on the EXPO project covertly, facilitating significant embezzlement.”

“Are you not aware that under this government, Serbia ranks among the top three most corrupt countries in Europe? Surely, you are aware that the SNS regime and (Serbian President) Aleksandar Vucic organized and conducted a significant negative media campaign against your (OSCE/ODIHR) mission during and after the rigged elections last December,” said Stefanovic.

He added that this campaign was also orchestrated by the ministers of the government that Braathu commends, including ministers Aleksandar Vulin and Nenad Popovic, who have been blacklisted listed for their connections to organized crime.

Stefanovic assessed that the ODIHR Mission “confirmed through its reports extensive irregularities and election fraud in Serbia by the SNS regime.”

“Election rigging and election fraud is the mother of all corruption, and we are confident you know that. No Serbian institution responded to these proven and confirmed findings of rigged elections, yet despite all this, you commend and support the regime in Serbia in their fight and efforts against corruption and organized crime,” said Stefanovic.

He concluded that in doing so, Braathu diminished “the honorable role of the organization he represents in Serbia.”

“Considering that this is not the first time we have encountered similar problems and significant overstepping of the boundaries of your mandate overshadowed by incredible support and praise for a corrupt, undemocratic, and anti-European regime, we will be compelled to inform your headquarters about these issues,” said Stefanovic.