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 advised other SPS members that the counter-protest was risky, and disregarded Milošević's orders by summoning law enforcement. Čović was subsequently removed from the SPS in January 1997. He continued to justify his decision years later, claiming that civil war could have begun if it weren't for the police intervention that night.