NIS MAYOR ZORAN ZIVKOVIC SIT IN FRONT OF POLICE STATION IN NIS, 2000-06-28 (photo)

The mayor of Serbia's southern city of Nis Zoran Zivkovic (R) and city official Branislav Jovanovic (L) staged a sit-in at the police station to force the release of 8 opposition activists and 3 press photographers detained during protest organized by the student-based movement Otpor (Resistance) in Nis June 28. The eight opposition supporters and three press photographers were detained amid preparations for a mock ceremony designed to ridicule the Belgrade government by mimicking its award ceremonies and highly publicised reconstruction after NATO's air strikes last year. Zivkovic ended his action when the, who were held for up to two hours, were freed.The student-based protest movement Otpor had scheduled the ceremony, which was supposed to portray the presentation of a national hero award to Milosevic. Police prevented the Otpor event taking place in the central city square. IM/CLH/