Zoran ?in?i?

Zoran ?in?i? {{Audio|sr-ZoranDjindjic.ogg|listen}} (often Zoran Djindjic, from Serbian Cyrillic: ????? ??????) (August 1, 1952 – March 12, 2003) was Serbian prime minister, long-time opposition politician and philosopher by profession.

Assassination

?in?i? was assassinated in Belgrade in the stairway of the main Serbian government building on March 12, 2003, 12:23 PM. Shot once in the chest, a high-power bullet penetrated his heart. He was rushed to the Emergency hospital when he was treated but pronounced dead one hour later. According to the official government statement, ?in?i? was not conscious and did not have a pulse upon arriving at the emergency ward. His bodyguard Milan Veruovi? was also seriously wounded in the stomach by another shot. ?in?i?'s alleged assassin, police specialist Zvezdan Jovanovi?, called Zveki, had fired the bullets by sniper scope from the window of a nearby building. Jovanovi? was born in 1965 in Pe?, Kosovo. He had been a member of the feared paramilitary unit, the Red Berets, and held the police rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Jovanovi? was active in the series of Yugoslav wars in the 1990s.

Related Topics:
Belgrade - March 12, 2003 - Milan Veruovi? - Assassin - Zvezdan Jovanovi? - Pe? - Kosovo - 1990s

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The assassination of Prime Minister Zoran ?in?i? was preceded by several unsuccessful attempts to end his life. Most notable was an attempt several days before March 12, 2003, in which a truck driven by Dejan Milenkovi?, a known member of the criminal "Zemun Clan", tried to force the Prime Minister's car off the highway in New Belgrade. ?in?i? escaped injury only due to the outstanding reaction of his driver and his security detail.

Related Topics:
March 12 - 2003 - Dejan Milenkovi?

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?in?i? had made many enemies for his pro-Western stance, reformist policies which had seen unemployment rise to over 30%, for arresting Milo?evi?, for relinquishing him to The Hague, and for clamping down on organized crime. The murder was allegedly organised by Milorad Ulemek, an ex-Commander of the special police, also known as Legija, who ordered Jovanovi? to carry out the assassination. Legija was connected to the powerful Zemun clan of the Serbian mafia. Legija has been recently sentenced to 40 years in jail for other offences that included murder and attempted murder.

Related Topics:
Milorad Ulemek - Legija - Zemun

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Nata?a Mi?i?, then acting President of Serbia, declared a state of emergency immediately following the shooting. Zoran ?ivkovi? was elected by the Serbian Democratic Party as ?in?i?'s successor. However after new parliamentary elections Boris Tadi? was appointed president of the party.

Related Topics:
Nata?a Mi?i? - Zoran ?ivkovi? - Democratic Party - Boris Tadi?

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?in?i? was married to Ru?ica and had two children with his wife. His daughter Jovana was born in 1990 and his son Luka was born in 1992.

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His solemn state procession and funeral on March 15, 2003 was attended by many citizens as well as by foreign delegations. ?in?i?'s death represented a political and moral tragedy for many Serbs who saw in him a man who had guaranteed coexistence with neighboring nations, integration with Europe, and economic recovery.

Related Topics:
March 15 - 2003

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His harshest political opponent and critic during his premiership Vojislav Ko?tunica acknowledged his work two years later with these words:

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Zoran ?in?i? was the first to take this difficult task to lead government in very unstable times. Probably his energy and commitment made possible for things to move forward. It is one thing to watch it from sidelines and it is completely different to be in it. I understand that know when I am Prime Minister and watch things a bit differently. He was very important for the whole process.

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