site.btaSerbian President Criticizes Activist’s Actions but Vows Support in Samud Flotilla Case

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday it is the state's duty to assist all its citizens, and it will do so in the case of activist artist Ognen Markovic, who was detained aboard one of the ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the Global Samud Flotilla.

Serbian national broadcaster RTS quoted President Vucic as saying: “We often come across irresponsible individuals — we have as many of these so-called saviours of the world as you’d like. In the end, when they are unable to save themselves, they call on the state for help. The state, of course, is always there to assist and will always do everything it can,” Vucic told reporters in Copenhagen, where the seventh summit of the European Political Community was taking place.

Students from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Belgrade, who are currently involved in anti-government faculty blockades across Serbia, reported that the flotilla, intercepted on Wednesday night by Israeli military on its way to Gaza, included a ship carrying their fellow student, artist and activist Ognen Markovic.

According to their statement, Israeli forces took control of the vessel Adara, one of the ships in the Global Samud Flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, and confirmed that Ognen Markovic was on board.

The flotilla reportedly included other foreign nationals as well, among them a Bulgarian citizen.

“The passengers of Hamas-Samud are being transported safely and peacefully to Israel, where deportation procedures to Europe will begin. The passengers are safe and in good health,” Israeli authorities said on Thursday.