Aleksandar Obradović, a whistleblower from the arms factory "Krušik", from Valjevo, whose house arrest measure was lifted today, walked through the center of Valjevo for the first time in 91 days, TV N1 reports.
The High Court in Belgrade made a decision today to abolish the house arrest of Aleksandar Obradović, a whistleblower from the "Krušik" factory in Valje.
Obradović was in custody for three months, and was arrested on September 18 at his workplace on suspicion of divulging business secrets.
Obradović pointed to corrupt activities related to the arms trade, i.e. that some private companies bought weapons from that military factory at preferential prices, and among those companies is the company "GIM", which is associated with the father of the Minister of the Interior of Serbia, Nebojša Stefanović, Branko. Stefanović.
As announced by the High Court, the judge for the preliminary proceedings issued a decision canceling the ban on Obradović from leaving the apartment with the application of electronic surveillance and internet use.
"From the explanation of the decision, it follows that the judge for the preliminary proceedings reviewed the submitted files, as well as the letter from the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office dated December 18, in which the public prosecutor did not state whether he proposes to extend or cancel the imposed measure, with the explanation that he leaves the decision on that to assessment to the court, and found that the reasons for which the measure was imposed on the defendant no longer exist, nor the circumstances provided for in Article 211 paragraph 1 point 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure," the announcement states.
At the time when he was under house arrest, Obradović was allowed to walk for an hour, from 10 to 11 in the morning, but he avoided walking in the center of Valjevo, instead, as he says, he chose routes where there were fewer people, in order to breathe in the air. it says N1.
"If I didn't walk for at least half an hour, I would have severe headaches," explains Aleksandar during an evening walk along Valjevo's main street - Karađorđeva - for the first time in almost three months, reports N1.
"Even though in recent days we have been hearing in the news reports that the air in Valjevo is polluted, tonight the air has the smell and taste of freedom for me," says Obradović.
He was walking in the company of his wife, but also several fellow citizens who today, after the so-called "nanogica", met in front of the building where she lives.
"During the entire process of gathering information, I was isolated so as not to put my friends and family in danger. The enormous support gave me strength and an injection of spite and courage. I want to thank each person individually," says Obradović, as reported by N1 .
"I would absolutely do the same"
Obradović stated earlier today that, even though he was placed under house arrest, he would "absolutely" do the same and disclose information about the events in the dedicated industry company in "Krušik".
He said that today's lifting of the house arrest measure is "just a step in the fight for his final freedom".
"Absolutely, I resolved that dilemma with myself a long time ago," Obradović told TV N1.
He stated that "he would repeat absolutely everything, almost every step", maybe he would change the order of some steps, "but absolutely, without any hesitation, he would repeat everything".
"I am not in euphoria, this is just a step in the long road of struggle, which I am aware will be, until my final freedom," said Obradović, stating that he was waiting for the last moment to be released from house arrest.
Obradović previously told Radio Free Europe that "he is not finally free", but "he only got the opportunity to defend himself from freedom".
Obradović told Radio Free Europe that he is aware that the road to "final freedom" will be "long and thorny."
"It's a wonderful feeling to be free, but I'm not in euphoria because with this decision I'm not finally free, I just got the opportunity to defend myself from freedom. This is just one step in that fight," said Obradović and expressed his gratitude to everyone who supported him. supported.
He added that after the abolition of house arrest, he will first leave the house and take a walk.
"I will feel the smell and taste of freedom, I will sleep and then I will consult with my family and lawyer about the best way forward," said Obradović, who spent three months under house arrest.
"One in five million": Another victory in a series of Serbian citizens
The "One in five million" association announced today that the decision to abolish house arrest for Obradović is another in a series of victories for the citizens of Serbia.
In the statement "One in five million", they emphasized that "the fight does not end here", they invited people to contact them if they have any information about "illegalities and illegal actions that they would like to point out, which are happening at work, in the local community, the city" and added that they will protect anyone who raises the alarm against the authorities.
"The key thing is the pressure that we all created together in order not to let the topic of Krusik be forgotten. Over 30 thousand signatures were collected in order to free Aleksandar Obradović," the Association states.
The association pointed out that it is proud of all its friends and colleagues who helped and showed extraordinary solidarity with Aleksandar Obradović and showed that "Serbia is a country of normal people who want freedom".
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