26 November 2024,   16:19
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Serbians protest removal of prosecutors probing corruption

Hundreds of opposition supporters and rights activists rallied peacefully in Belgrade on Thursday to protest the replacement of two deputy prosecutors who were investigating a high-profile corruption case, writes Reuters.

The protest comes as Serbia vies for European Union membership by proving it can root out corruption and organised crime, as well as reform the judiciary and the rule of law.

The two deputy prosecutors, Bojana Savovic and Jasmina Paunovic, last week said senior prosecutor Nenad Stefanovic removed them from investigating an embezzlement case in the state-run EPS electro power utility company. The investigation led to the arrest of six suspects charged with misappropriating USD 7.5 million.

In a statement, senior prosecutor’s office said the two have been reassigned due to slow work and because of their own requests.

The protesters who carried banners reading “Support to brave prosecutors” cheered as Cedomir Kokanovic, one of the organizers, said that Savovic and Paunovic must be reinstated. He also demanded the sacking of Stefanovic and Zagorka Dolovac, Serbia’s state prosecutor.

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