Thousands in Sarajevo protest against juvenile crime
13 Feb 2008 19:42:08 GMT Source: Reuters
(releads with injuries, detentions, comments) By Daria Sito-Sucic SARAJEVO, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Seven people were injured and two protesters arrested on Wednesday during a demonstration by several thousand Sarajevo citizens against juvenile crime. Special police in riot gear faced crowds who threw eggs, stones and bottles at the Sarajevo government building, smashing a number of windows because officials would not come out to talk. Seven people were hit by stones and slightly injured, including four police officers, said a local government spokesman. Two protesters were detained. "We also questioned three minors because of violent behaviour, and then released them," spokesman Jusuf Zornic told Reuters on telephone. Protesters called on top city and regional officials to resign after a high school student was stabbed to death in a tram by a gang of youth last week, and an elderly woman died after a group of young criminals burned her last month. "This is a consequence of the systematic neglect of the youth by the society," said activist Amila Omersoftic. The protesters carried placards saying "We Want Resignations". "It is obvious that people are very frustrated with the irresponsible behaviour of politicians, who have repeatedly condemned criminal acts but done nothing to demonstrate responsibility," said Sevko Bajic, one of the organisers. The Sarajevo cantonal government was in emergency session to discuss the problem. But Prime Minister Samir Silajdzic said he would not resign and accused "some political parties" as being behind the protest. Analyst Ivan Barbalic said the protest showed the citizens were fed up with arrogance of the authorities. "The people finally showed their discontent after years of silence and fear. This is a real citizens' revolt and I think such protests will become common in future," Barbalic told Reuters. Aldina, a student of the Electro-Energy high school, said she wanted security to improve. "Nobody feels safe going out," she said. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic, Editing by Matthew Jones)
Haris Silajdzic, the Muslim member of Bosnia's three-man presidency, signs the book of condolences for 11 Macedonian soldiers in the Macedonian Embassy in Sarajevo January, 15, 2008. The Macedonian soldiers, who ...
