Nobody can banish the police from a part of Serbia, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated late on Saturday, commenting on the message Minister Sulejman Ugljanin addressed to the police wherein he said that they should leave Novi Pazar because of alleged abuse of minors.

However, Dacic added that Ugljanin made the controversial statement as a result of turbulent emotions. Dacic stated that for as long as he is the interior minister, nobody can expel the police from any part of Serbia and expressed belief that the statement was made in a moment of high emotions, since the Interior Ministry has so far cooperated very well with Ugljanin.

In Dacic's opinion, this is a result of the competition among Bosniaks in the territory of the Raska District, but it would be negative if the rivalry turned into a contest in which the winner would be the individual who made fiercest statements against Belgrade.

If someone overstepped their authorities, they will suffer the consequences for it, Dacic said and expressed belief that instead of addressing the media first, Ugljanin should have phoned him and told him personally what he wanted to say.

Three days ago, the Novi Pazar police arrested four young men, including the son of Minister Ugljanin, but it is still uncertain whether officers overstepped their authorities and whether any abuse was committed

Dacic: Nobody can expel police from part of Serbia

BELGRADE - Nobody can banish the police from a part of Serbia, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated late on Saturday, commenting on the message Minister Sulejman Ugljanin addressed to the police wherein he said that they should leave Novi Pazar because of alleged abuse of minors.

However, Dacic added that Ugljanin made the controversial statement as a result of turbulent emotions. Dacic stated that for as long as he is the interior minister, nobody can expel the police from any part of Serbia and expressed belief that the statement was made in a moment of high emotions, since the Interior Ministry has so far cooperated very well with Ugljanin.

In Dacic's opinion, this is a result of the competition among Bosniaks in the territory of the Raska District, but it would be negative if the rivalry turned into a contest in which the winner would be the individual who made fiercest statements against Belgrade.

If someone overstepped their authorities, they will suffer the consequences for it, Dacic said and expressed belief that instead of addressing the media first, Ugljanin should have phoned him and told him personally what he wanted to say.

Three days ago, the Novi Pazar police arrested four young men, including the son of Minister Ugljanin, but it is still uncertain whether officers overstepped their authorities and whether any abuse was committed