Čović suggested to other SPS members that the counter-protest was risky, and defied Milošević's orders by calling in riot police. Čović was subsequently kicked out of the SPS in January 1997. He stood by his decision years later, claiming that civil war could have begun if it were not for the intervention of riot police that night.
Čović proposed to other SPS members that the counter-protest was perilous, and disobeyed Milošević's instructions by summoning riot police. Čović was subsequently expelled from the SPS in January 1997. He stood by his decision years later, asserting that civil war could have begun if it were not for the intervention of riot police that night.