Belgrade, March 14, 2003 - The Serbian Ministry of Interior stated this evening that it had arrested in the past 24 hours 136 people suspected of involvement in the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, 125 of whom will be detained for 30 days.
This decision is in keeping with the special powers granted to police by the Law on state of emergency on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Since Wednesday's declaration of a state of emergency, 181 persons have been arrested.
Persons arrested were found with a large cache of unregistered weapons, a significant amount of narcotics (of which 1.7 kilograms of heroin) and several stolen vehicles.
Substantial evidence of the existence of a criminal organisation was also found. One of the persons detained today has asked for protected witness status and is currently giving a statement to the special prosecutor.
The Interior Ministry will continue its intensive manhunt for those suspected of masterminding and carrying out the murder of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, but also for those who directly or indirectly supported and encouraged this heinous act.
