The tension increased as Siniša Mali, Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, condemned the threats made against Aleksandar Vucic, the President of Serbia, and his family, especially the most recent cases when the photos of the President’s relatives with crosshairs were published on social media.

‘The Vucic family is under attack. These are not merely instances of street crime; these are attacks directed towards the foundation of our, the society of peace and stability in which we live, constructed upon such values.’, Mali praised. He put forward his view that regardless of the way violence manifests itself it is always unacceptable and ought to be tackled by the law.

In the next speech, the Minister of Finance observed that in the case, for example, in the case of violent threats against fellow politicians, some argue that it is indeed reasonable to talk of incitement to violence because there are some politicians whose speech is such that they invite violence.

Furthermore, he warned, “there are also foolish words that go further in depth from what has been previously said, and therefore such senseless words must be kept out.”

Mali encouraged unity during the course of his address and encourage all citizens and the media to refrain from, eliminating violence, by alerting it at situations of its occurrence. “We can develop a space where all members are at ease and nothing worries anyone,” he concluded.

Comments mostly posted on social networks also raised concerns about this situation with a number of people expressing an outrage over the unacceptable action and worrying about the safety of the President’s family members.

Once again, Serbia has a problem in trying to make sure that all its citizens and public figures are safe from extreme and vicious acts that are an affront to the very principles of democracy.