The Academy for Democratic Development strongly condemns the attack on journalist and anti-fascist Dasko Milinovic, expresses solidarity with him, and demands from all relevant state bodies to discover, arrest and prosecute not only the direct perpetrators, but also the organizers and instigators of this shameful attack. It is clear that the attack on Daško Milinović was well prepared, organized and pre-ordered, and that is why the investigation must not stop at the attackers.
Metal bars and violence must not become a legitimate means of political struggle and communication with political opponents, and any relativization or justification of violence puts us in a dangerous state in which all people feel insecure and it has to be explicitely condemned. That is why voices that express understanding for the attackers or are trying to find excuses for them are equally dangerous, claiming that the victims “provoked” the perpetrators or “gave them a reason” for serious crimes.
Generating hatred, inciting divisions and turning people against each other must not be a regular way to communicate publicly. There must be no understanding for bullies, right extremists, neo-fascist groups and thugs of all kinds. These are the characteristics of societies that have no perspective, in which people do not see a future, and uncompromising condemnation and prosecution of all those responsible for this and similar incidents are preconditions for progress and development of any kind.