"I tried to ask them what the charges were, since it definitely looked like an arrest. Then, one of the policemen pushed me and pointed at his shoulder: 'What does it say here?'. It said Police, of course, and he wanted to say that the Police can do whatever it likes," Srdja Popovic, spokesperson of the Democratic Party City Council, a local council member in the municipality of Vracar, and an activist of [the student resistance movement] "Otpor", said at the yesterday's press conference in the Democratic Party offices. Srdja Popovic was arrested two days ago, brutally beaten and kept in custody. He was released after four hours.
According to his words, the Police took him to the Police station in Majka Jevrosima Street. He was carried handcuffed into the Police station.
"They took me to the first floor, to a room that looked like examination rooms at the University. There, they beat me savagely for twenty minutes.
"They mostly kicked me, and avoided to hit my head. Probably to avoid obvious injuries. Thus I have no injuries on my head, apart from a cut lip. They kicked me in the ribs and because of that I now have difficulty breathing and heavy bruises. They were saying all sorts of crap, since psychological maltreatment goes with physical abuse," said Popovic. After the beating, Popovic's handcuffs, that had been on his wrists since the arrest, were tightened [to block circulation]. The traces left by the handcuffs were still clearly visible yesterday. Then, an inspector from the Police station in November 29 street came to pick Popovic up. He "was not rough" and "only hit [Popovic] several times".
"Several student activists showed up in front of the Police station in November 29 street," continued Popovic. "They had found out that I had been arrested, and came to inquire with the Police about my case. They were also arrested and beaten."
In "November 29th" Police Station Popovic was not beaten, but only questioned. Since he only responded to personal questions and demanded a lawyer before answering any other questions, the Police pointed out that "this [was] not America" and that he "[did] not have the right to see a lawyer when the Police arrest him". Later, Popovic was offered a written statement for a signature. The reason for the arrest was not stated on the statement. Popovic was released about 5 p.m. still not knowing why he had been arrested and beaten up.
"That was a public demonstration of force. I am neither especially strong nor brave, but my elders taught me that blows hurt only if you are scared. I was not intimidated by this. I will continue to be active in politics and to fight for changes. This should be an example for others. I hope that if those 'others' can see me and realize that I am fine, they will know how to fight. You are strongest when you defend yourself," concluded Popovic.
Lawyers Nikola Barovic and Sinisa Nikolic announced a suit against the policemen [who arrested and beat up Popovic].