Serbian police identify perpetrators behind bomb alerts, including one person abroad

BELGRADE - Serbian police said on Monday they had identified several Serbian nationals and one person located abroad as the perpetrators behind a series of false bomb alerts that have targeted Belgrade schools over the past weeks, unsettling pupils, parents and school employees.

According to an official statement, police officials have informed Serbian PM Ana Brnabic that, pursuant to an order of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, a thorough investigation was underway with the aim of gathering material evidence against people suspected of the criminal offence of causing panic and disorder.

Interior Ministry and Education Ministry officials told Brnabic they had undertaken all actions and measures to maximise the level of protection in schools and that all threats were acted on, which they noted included deployment of around 2,500 police officers on the ground every day.

The statement said the two ministries would within two days propose a new protocol for action in such situations at educational institutions to ensure full security in schools and a continuity of classes.