Zemun: municipality sacks held copies, not originals

The sacks carried out and dumped in front of the Zemun municipality building on October 30 did not contain original documents, only copies of official files designated for disposal. That is what the Third Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade announced, adding that for now it finds no grounds to suspect a criminal offense was committed. The statement was published by Insajder and picked up by other media.

How the check unfolded

The trigger was a report from citizens that sacks of destroyed official files were being carried out and dumped in front of the municipality. The public prosecutor, together with officers from the Zemun Police Station, went to the scene right away and conducted an on-site investigation. All ten sacks that were found were examined, along with the available surveillance camera footage, and the relevant evidence was secured.

On the prosecutor’s order, 21 people were interviewed. They include eyewitnesses, employees who carried out the sacks, staff of the relevant municipal services, the head of the Public Procurement Department, the head of the Joint Services Department and the president of the Zemun Municipality. The prosecutors have not published the names of those interviewed. The interviews were meant to establish where the documents came from, why they were being destroyed, how and when they were carried out, and who ordered it. The statement does not say what the interviewees answered, or which files are involved.

The prosecutors’ conclusion reads:

“On the basis of the actions taken, it was established that the sacks that were found contained discarded documentation, that is, copies of official files, while the original documentation is located in the premises of the Zemun Municipality, which the public prosecutor personally confirmed through an inspection carried out.”

The prosecutors add that they will keep following the circumstances of the event and, if new facts or evidence emerge, will take action within their jurisdiction.

What the prosecutors announce

The statement goes a step beyond the Zemun case. The prosecutors say that, within their legal powers, they will “pay special attention to all information and reports concerning possible unlawful conduct in the work of all institutions in the territory of their jurisdiction, without exception.” A concrete measure was announced as well:

“To that end, the Prosecutor’s Office will instruct the competent police stations to take appropriate measures and actions, including a stronger presence of police patrols around institutions, where the legal conditions for it exist, in order to promptly detect and prevent any possible unlawful removal, taking out, destruction or concealment of official documentation and other evidence that may be of importance for criminal proceedings.”

Srpske Novine earlier reported a trade union’s claim that documents were being destroyed at the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund (PIO Fund). The Zemun case involves a different institution and a separate proceeding, and the statement does not link it to the Fund. The prosecutors also promised to keep the public informed, as before and in good time, of all facts that can be disclosed without endangering the interests of the proceedings.