Ponoš Is Not an Enemy of Serbia

By summoning opposition leader and Member of Parliament Zdravko Ponoš to a police unit responsible for combating terrorism, Aleksandar Vučić has once again demonstrated that he has captured the state and is using its institutions to intimidate political opponents.

It is particularly alarming that political speech, parliamentary activity, and the public raising of legitimate questions are being pushed into the framework of "terrorism." This is an attempt to intimidate both the opposition and citizens, while equating criticism of the government with the gravest criminal offenses.

GP Solidarnost warns that this is yet another step toward a Russian-style model of dealing with political opponents, where the evidence presented by the opposition is not challenged with arguments, but with police summonses, media smear campaigns, and politically motivated legal proceedings.

Zdravko Ponoš is not an enemy of Serbia. Neither are pro-European democratic parties, movements, or citizens. The true adversary of Serbia's citizens is a regime that has captured the state and is doing everything it can to shut the door to the European Union, keeping Serbia isolated in order to preserve the gains of a system built on crime and corruption. In doing so, Vučić himself demonstrates that anti-European policies are, in fact, anti-Serbian policies.

GP Solidarnost rejects the abuse of the police and the prosecution service. State institutions must serve the citizens, uphold the rule of law, and protect the public interest—not ensure the political survival of a single man.

Vučić's regime has captured the state. Solidarnost is determined to return it to the citizens.