Serbia’s Vucic condemns ‘terrorism’ outside parliament

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has declared Wednesday’s shooting near the National Assembly building in Belgrade a “terrible terrorist attack.” A 70-year-old man is reported to have opened fire in the Serbian capital and set fire to a tent. 

According to reports, the perpetrator has been detained and identified as Vladan Andelkovic. He is said to have shot and wounded a 57-year-old man, Milan Bogdanovic, before igniting a tent erected by supporters of President Vucic outside the National Assembly. Kurir also reported that the suspect threw a handful of ammunition into the flames. 

The victim was reportedly wounded in the thigh but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Firefighters have since extinguished the blaze, while police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation. 

In a televised address, Vucic condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack on other persons and property.” He said the suspect had purchased gasoline and intentionally set fire to the tent, calling the attack an attempt to spread fear.  

Vucic also showed a video in which the suspect could be heard claiming that he had acted with suicidal intent. “The occupation of the city center annoys me. I set fire to the tent with gasoline,” he said in the recording. “I wanted you to kill me because I can no longer live,” the man added. 

The president suggested, however, that the man had “tried to pretend to be crazy” and actually knew what he was doing due to his background in the security forces. “This person and his helpers, if any, will be severely punished,” Vucic vowed. 

Vucic went on to warn against taking any actions in response to the incident. “I saw the anger this caused, those who are against the blockaders want to gather, and I am asking them not to do so. Revenge did no one any good. Revenge must not exist and I warn everyone not to do it.”