LDP demands immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution of Dalibor Kitanović

The Liberal Democratic Party (Liberal Democratic Party, LDP) demanded the immediate removal and criminal prosecution of Dalibor Kitanović after he published a photomontage that, the party says, glorifies a convicted war criminal.

"A state function must not and cannot be a shield from criminal responsibility. LDP demands the immediate dismissal of Kitanović, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Public Prosecutor's Office to proceed ex officio in accordance with Article 407‑a of the Criminal Code, because the laws in this country must finally apply equally to everyone," the party said.

Party reaction and legal basis

The LDP called the government response — which offered Kitanović the option to "withdraw his stance" instead of moving to dismiss and prosecute him — scandalous and hypocritical. The party pointed out that Article 407‑a of the Criminal Code foresees a prison sentence of up to five years for glorifying, endorsing or minimizing genocide and war crimes, and that there is no legal provision allowing an offender to simply retract a posted statement after the act has been completed.

In a longer statement the party added: "This is yet another slap to the people and to the rule of law that is neither invisible nor a first for this government, but one that it continuously and miserably continues to practise. The Kitanović case gives us yet another proof of the scandalous double standards. Through the 'Safe City' system, every ordinary citizen is hit directly in the pocket for the smallest offence and there is no forgiveness there, nor the possibility to 'withdraw'. When an ordinary person is late paying a bill to some state institution, the Government shows no understanding, but immediately sends enforcement officers to block accounts. The laws apply strictly and mercilessly to citizens, while excuses, lawlessness and forgiveness are reserved for government officials. Shame! A state function must not and cannot be a shield from criminal responsibility. LDP demands the immediate dismissal of Kitanović, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Public Prosecutor's Office to proceed ex officio in accordance with Article 407‑a of the Criminal Code, because the laws in this country must finally apply equally to everyone," the LDP said.

The party's demand follows an Instagram post by the director of the Agency for the Realisation of Community Rights, Dalibor Kitanović. Two days earlier he had shared a photomontage that depicted Ratko Mladić alongside figures from Serbian history, including Draža Mihailović, with the large caption "Generals of the heavenly army." The image provoked strong public reactions and calls from the civic sector for criminal accountability.

The government asked the director to withdraw from the post if he does not accept the position that Ratko Mladić was convicted of genocide and war crimes. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of the Serbs in Macedonia posted support for Kitanović on Facebook, sharing comments from social networks expressing backing for him. The statement also referenced remarks by other parties questioning when the government will seek dismissals for officials such as Ivan Stoilković and his associates who, they say, glorify Ratko Mladić.

Photo: LDP