Anti-corruption council backs its vice president

Belgrade, Sept 10, 2003 - The Anti-Corruption Council refused the offered resignation of its Vice President Ivan Lalic saying that bringing criminal charges in the District Prosecution in Novi Sad against Lalic on the basis of an anonymous report is an attempt to discredit this institution and disturb other Council members.

Lalic informed the Council that the anonymous report accusing him of abusing position was sent in late 2001, when he was director of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad.

A statement issued by the Council reads that this body has intensified its activities recently, which is likely to be in connection with bringing criminal charges against one of its members on the basis of an anonymous report.