Advice: The Supreme Prosecutor's Office to declare the treatment of Kojašević

The Council for Civil Control of Police Work informed the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office about the case of police officers' treatment of the athlete Damir Kojašević, so that the competent state prosecutor could assess whether there were elements of the criminal offense of abuse in the actions of the police, that body announced.

They asked the Police Administration for information about the treatment of Damir Kojašević.

The Council stated that, on the recording published in the media, it is evident that Kojašević acted according to the orders issued. "He did not offer any resistance, and a possible verbal conflict in the course of taking official measures and actions cannot be a justification to apply illegal means of coercion or to exceed them, as the video clearly indicates," the statement states.

They also point out that police officers are obliged to show, in every situation, greater caution and self-control and that they "do not abuse citizens".

"The Council stated that the officers of the Police Administration took official measures and actions in an inadequate location and that in this regard a more proper stop should have been ordered in order to ensure the conditions that the regular flow of traffic is not disturbed and that police powers are applied in a safe and least harmful way. It is evident that clear internal procedures and rules were not followed in this matter, which is an additional reason for determining their disciplinary responsibility.

"In order to strengthen the fight against impunity, the Council for Citizen Control of Police Work has informed the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office about the case so that the competent state prosecutor can assess whether the actions of police officers towards the citizen Kojašević contain elements of the criminal act of abuse," the statement added.

The Council welcomed the quick reaction of the leadership of the Police Administration, which ordered the verification of Kojašević's allegations, but noted that this only happened "after an independent media published a video of the abuse".

"This indicates that there is still a culture of silence in the Police Directorate and that, despite promises, nothing has been done to overcome it and strengthen responsibility. The responsibility of the competent elders, who again allegedly were not informed in a timely manner about the unprofessional and illegal actions of their officers, is key in this," the statement concludes.