Minister of Security of BiH, Dragan Mektic, spoke about the security situation ahead of the protests that will be held tomorrow in Banja Luka. Mektic emphasized that the organization of two gatherings at the same time is decision of MIA RS and Milorad Dodik. He emphasized that if riots take place during gatherings in Banja Luka, responsibility will be solely on the Ministry of Interior of RS (MIA RS).
Mektic approves any kind of democratic and peaceful protests, since that is the way for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with the economic and social situation, but he added that there is no need for note of politics.
Mektic approves any kind of democratic and peaceful protests, because that way citizens express their dissatisfaction with the economic and social situation, but he adds that it does not need a note of politics.
“I understand citizens and their dissatisfaction with the crime, corruption and unemployment. The opposition wants to express their dissatisfaction peacefully, and they do not want to be violent in any way. They want to express their opinion on the situation in RS in this way. There is a risk that these gatherings will get a completely different connotation, because there are political opponents who will point out specific things and facts against each other. Most likely there will be a danger for property and personal safety of citizens,” said Minister Mektic.
He says that there is no logic to permit the organization of two gatherings in one place, because there is a possibility of verbal and physical conflict.
“I wonder how to protect all of this. This is a purely political decision, which was announced by Milorad Dodik at the same time the previous protests were announced. No one is thinking about the consequences that might happen. Protests can get characteristics of riots with unpredictable consequences, and no one is thinking about that. There were rumors in recent days that radical groups from Serbia, Sarajevo, Bihac, and even Ukraine will come in Banja Luka. I think that it was an attempt to intimidate citizens, because it is assumed that they will not come and give support to each other,” said Minister of Security of BiH. He added that they requested information from the security agencies of Serbia on possible security threats, but they never received this kind of information.
Mektic said that all security agencies in BiH are working on collecting information that might be useful in further analysis, if it comes to major incident.
To recall, gathering of the opposition should start tomorrow at 12 pm, while a counter meeting begins in 1 pm.
(Source: A. B./Klix.ba)
