Vucic: Intelligence and counter-intelligence protection to be boosted

BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters after last night's shooting spree in Mladenovac that left eight people dead, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced that the level of intelligence and counter-intelligence protection across the country would be stepped up.

He noted that Serbian authorities would start implementing a set of measures adopted by the government two days ago.

He also said the state needed support from judicial authorities to be more efficient.

"We will seek the support of judges and prosecutors, rather than have to struggle to obtain a warrant to search the flat of a murderer," he said.

He said a series of urgent measures would include the introduction of stricter requirements for possession of firearms.

On behalf of the Serbian government and on his own behalf, Vucic extended condolences to the families of those killed in Mladenovac as well as in Wednesday's massacre in a Belgrade primary school.

"We are united in pain and grief," he said.

"This is an attack on our country, and every citizen feels that," he said.

Vucic announced that the police would recruit several thousands of new officers in the next six months to ensure there was one police officer in every school.

"That way, we will boost security by 90 pct and reduce peer violence by 80 pct," Vucic said.

He said the Mladenovac shooting was an act of terrorism.

"The task of our units was to arrest and neutralise a terrorist. The criminal has been arrested and will never see the light of day again. He will never get out of prison," he said.

He also announced a review of licences for possession of firearms.

"All people who have firearms will undergo a review and no more than 30-40 thousand pieces will remain. We will have Serbia disarmed and double the penalties," he said, adding that the Interior Ministry had been ordered to toughen requirements for possession of hunting firearms as well.