The issue of presidential pardons is not a matter of anyone’s personal whim or goodwill, but a right of the people, as the holders of sovereignty, to know who was pardoned and why, said Belgrade Bar Association (AKB) President Vladimir Prijovic, demanding an answer as to who former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic pardoned during his final days in office.
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“This government has demonstrated a massive lack of responsibility and a total disregard for the law and the Constitution. They have repeatedly abused their authority. Therefore, I do not expect an answer from them on this matter, even though providing one should be completely normal in a democratic society,” Prijovic said.
The Belgrade Bar Association has submitted this inquiry to the acting President of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, as well as to the caretaker Minister of Justice, Nenad Vujic.
Prijovic emphasized that a pardon is not a matter of someone’s personal goodwill, but a question of the rule of law and the public’s right to know who has been pardoned and for what reason.
The public is also questioning whether the list of pardoned individuals includes the figures mentioned by Radar in an article about newly uncovered Sky ECC app communications, which suggest that Darko Saric financed the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Prijovic noted that criminal proceedings are likely ongoing against most of the 49 pardoned individuals, and emphasized that the pardon process must legally be initiated upon a proposal from the Minister of Justice.
“We are facing a wall of silence, which creates an environment where rumors and speculation easily thrive. I personally have information from various sources that the list includes those accused in the Novi Sad canopy collapse and General Staff cases - meaning Goran Vesic, Anita Dimoska, Jelena Tanaskovic, and so on. In other words, individuals who might be directly responsible for the deaths of 16 people. If that is true, it is no surprise that this information is being hidden, as it would trigger a justified public backlash and widespread outrage right before the elections,” he said.
“If the Justice Ministry knows nothing – that’s either a lie or an illegality”
Prijovic described the move as a desperate measure.
“On the other hand, when the Ministry of Justice claims to know nothing about it, to me that is either an outright lie or an illegality - there is no third option. Under the law, the Minister of Justice must initiate this procedure ex officio. If the Ministry’s response is that they know nothing, it means they are either lying or the pardon process itself was illegal,” he said.
There has been no official statement from the Ministry of Justice on the matter. The Beta news agency reported that an unnamed source from the Ministry stated they do not know who Vucic pardoned and that they will not take part in implementing the decision.
“The lack of an official statement is further proof of the Ministry’s irresponsible conduct. You have a press release on the one hand, but no official response on the other. Citizens, as the holders of sovereignty, are being denied crucial information right before the elections,” the president of the Belgrade Bar Association emphasized.
Teme