Serbian Guard (paramilitary)

Not to be confused with Serb Volunteer Guard.
Serbian Guard
Српска гарда
Active 1991–1992
Country Serbia
Type Paramilitary organization
Garrison/HQ Bor
Engagements Yugoslav Wars
Disbanded Yes
Commanders
Commander Đorđe "Giška" Božović

The Serbian Guard (Serbian Cyrillic: Српска гарда) was a Serbian paramilitary active in Croatia during its War of Independence with close ties to the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO). Eighty percent of the guard's members were members of the SPO.[1] The paramilitary was formed by SPO official Vuk Drašković and his wife Danica Drašković, along with Đorđe Božović "Giška" and Branislav Matić "Beli".[2]

The paramilitary unit's training camp was located near Bor Lake in SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia.[2] It participated in clashes on the territory of SR Croatia near the town of Gospić.[3] Elements of the unit also participated in the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina.[4] Đorđe Božović was the unit's first commander, but was killed in action near Gospić.[5] Some people have alleged that Božović's death was an act of "friendly fire" orchestrated by the Republic of Serbian Krajina's government.[6] The unit's chief financier Branislav Matić was gunned down in August 1991 in Belgrade.[7]

Serbian general Nebojša Pavković has called for Drašković to be tried for his role in the guard's formation.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Died together with Giška
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Serbian Guard, party army of the SPO, Danas
  3. ↑ Zoran Kusovac. "Serbia's Inadequate Opposition". Archived from the original on 2005-03-06. the establishment of the SPO’s own paramilitary unit — the Serbian Guards (Srpska Garda), which attacked the Croatian town of Gospic in 1991
  4. ↑ Criminal: Death of Branko Lainovic
  5. ↑ Belgrade underground, Vreme
  6. ↑ Giška and guards died for nothing, Glas javnosti
  7. ↑ Target of Unknown Assassins
  8. ↑ Pavković: Vuk to the Hague!