Prosecution seeks ban on hooligan groups

Public Prosecutor Slobodan Radovanovic will petition for a ban on organized assembly, travel and attendance at matches for Partizan, Red Star, and Rad fans. He said that the motion would be submitted to the Interior Ministry today. Prosecution seeks ban on hooligan groups “I am also preparing an initiative for erasing certain hooligan groups from the register,” Radovanovic said, explaining that there were a number of groups committing crimes under the guise of being team supporters. He explained that these were not fans, but criminals, which could be proven through evidence that the police had been gathering. Prosecution spokesperson Tomo Zoric told B92 earlier that the prosecution was considering an initiative to outlaw hooligans and similar groups that were, he said, hiding behind team colors and committing serious crimes, such as drug dealing. Zoric said that it was important to distinguish between real fans that supported their clubs and those that used sport as a front for organized criminal activities. “These are organizations that have certain hooligan insignia. These are not fans, but criminals that commit crimes,” Zoric said. Justice State Secretary Slobodan Homen earlier mentioned the possibility of such a move. “That is one topic that must be discussed along with more widespread action against crime, because these groups are not exclusive in their activities. Going to sporting events is just a facade, they are often drug dealers and criminals, and this is an important topic, but it will be based on police reports that we are expecting soon,” Homen said. “Based on police reports already received, the prosecution has petitioned for bans on two organizations: Obraz and 1389. If there are further reports, the prosecution will certainly react in an adequate manner,” he said. Homen said that a legal basis existed for looking into the source of assets owned by hooligan bosses and club owners, because these people were often very wealthy. Slobodan Radovanovic (FoNet, archive)

Prosecution seeks ban on hooligan groups

“I am also preparing an initiative for erasing certain hooligan groups from the register,” Radovanović said, explaining that there were a number of groups committing crimes under the guise of being team supporters.

He explained that these were not fans, but criminals, which could be proven through evidence that the police had been gathering.

Prosecution spokesperson Tomo Zorić told B92 earlier that the prosecution was considering an initiative to outlaw hooligans and similar groups that were, he said, hiding behind team colors and committing serious crimes, such as drug dealing.

Zorić said that it was important to distinguish between real fans that supported their clubs and those that used sport as a front for organized criminal activities.

“These are organizations that have certain hooligan insignia. These are not fans, but criminals that commit crimes,” Zorić said.

Justice State Secretary Slobodan Homen earlier mentioned the possibility of such a move.

“That is one topic that must be discussed along with more widespread action against crime, because these groups are not exclusive in their activities. Going to sporting events is just a facade, they are often drug dealers and criminals, and this is an important topic, but it will be based on police reports that we are expecting soon,” Homen said.

“Based on police reports already received, the prosecution has petitioned for bans on two organizations: Obraz and 1389. If there are further reports, the prosecution will certainly react in an adequate manner,” he said.

Homen said that a legal basis existed for looking into the source of assets owned by hooligan bosses and club owners, because these people were often very wealthy.