Vesic released from custody

NOVI SAD - The Non-Trial Chamber of the Higher Court in Novi Sad decided on Wednesday to release former Serbian minister of construction, transport and infrastructure Goran Vesic from custody following his arrest in the wake of the November 1 Novi Sad railway station tragedy.

A statement on the court's official website said the court had made the decision in proceedings on appeals from prosecutors and Vesic's attorney.

It said the order to launch an investigation into the case and evidence submitted by prosecutors to date contained no indication of reasonable suspicion that Vesic had committed a serious criminal act against general safety in conjunction with the crime of causing general danger, which it noted was a necessary condition for placing anyone in custody.

For any person to be placed in custody, there needs to be a degree of suspicion of criminal wrongdoing that is higher than the degree sufficient to launch an investigation, the court said.

The statement also said Vesic's release from custody had no effect on further investigation.

Vesic was arrested on November 21 and the Novi Sad court placed him in 30-day custody on November 25.

On November 26, he was transferred to the Sremska Kamenica Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases after his health condition suddenly worsened.