Opposition leader: Trial may radicalize protests

Published: Wednesday, July 28, 1999


Zoran Djindjic also appealed to army commanders to abandon their pledges to protect Milosevic and instead try to oust him, saying the country's very survival is threatened.

Djindjic, who is leading popular protests against Milosevic, has been summoned to appear before a Belgrade military court today for pretrial investigation, his lawyers said.

The allegations that he avoided compulsory army service during the NATO bombing carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.

If he is convicted and imprisoned, "it would be a very wrong decision ... which would accelerate and radicalize the protests," Djindjic told Associated Press Television News.

Djindjic's Alliance for Change coalition has been holding anti-Milosevic rallies for the past month.

The protests reflect growing Serb discontentment with Milosevic's policies, which many blame for a destroyed economy, the NATO bombing and the de facto loss of Kosovo.

Djindjic called the allegations part of an attempt by Milosevic to divert public anger by painting opposition leaders as traitors.