Detention of Serbian military union leader sparks controversy
Following Defense Minister Milos Vucevic’s criticism, Serbian authorities arrest military union leader Novica Antic, sparking a national debate over the role of trade unions in the military
Authorities in Serbia have detained Novica Antic, the president of the Serbian Military Union, on unspecified charges, igniting controversy over the role of military trade unions in the country.
This development follows Defense Minister Milos Vucevic’s recent criticism of military unions. “The biggest stupidity in the world is that the army has unions – the army defends the country; it is not a public company,” Vucevic had exclaimed.
Antic’s legal team disclosed his decision to start a hunger strike after his arrest. One of his lawyers, Mitar Krstic, highlighted the lack of evidence against Antic in a statement to cable channel N1, saying, “As far as the evidentiary material is concerned, it does not actually exist and what I can confirm is that Novica Antic went on a hunger strike.”
Vaso Antic, Novica’s brother, agreed that the arrest was a politically motivated move, noting the confiscation of phones from several union members as part of a broader clampdown.
The detentions are not limited to Antic; authorities have also taken several union members and officials into custody nationwide.
Vaso Antic described these actions as attempts to pressure the union and suggested the involvement of Dura Jovanic, head of the Military Security Agency (VBA).
The European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions has held back from commenting on Antic’s detention due to insufficient information.
However, they stressed that union activities are a constitutional right in Serbia and hinted at possible intervention by international bodies if the government attempts to abolish military unions.
Antic, who claims his union represents over 7,000 members, has faced previous dismissals from the army, alleging deteriorating conditions within the Serbian military.
Source: Newsroom
