25 July 2005

Serbian National Council to protest attacks

B92, Belgrade, July 25, 2005 14:47

President of the Serbian National Council, Milan Ivanovic, said that the SNC will demand the dismissal of UNMIK commander Roger Phillips and Representative Larry Miller.

Ivanovic holds Phillips, who is the commander of the North Kosovska Mitrovica UNMIK police unit, responsible for the brutal beatings of several unarmed Serbian youths on Sunday by UNMIK officers.

"They attacked the youths who were returning to their homes unarmed and helpless, and when passers by tried to help them, Commander Roger and another officer pulled out their guns." Ivanovic said.

He added that the Serbian youths were doing what they do every Sunday afternoon, having beers at a local café and that the incident occurred after one of the beer glasses ended up about 20 meters away from a police officer.

"In talks with the police afterwards, the youths said that it was not their intention to throw the glass and that they did not even notice the presence of the police officers since they were busy having a good time." Ivanovic said.

UNMIK official Larry Miller is being accused by the SNC of giving false statements regarding the attacks on the village of Zupce this weekend.