Car of Local Official in South Serbia Burnt

The incident occurred in front of an apartment building in downtown Vranje where Antic lives with his family.

"I did not do anything bad to anyone. I am not in any business, so I can't suspect anyone of this," Antic told Balkan Insight, adding that he was sleeping at the time of the incident.

"The police woke me up on Thursday morning to inform me that the car I bought last year was ruined," Antic said.

Antic was elected president of the City Committee of the Socialist Party of Serbia, SPS, on Monday in the presence of his party leader and Serbian Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic.

SPS, founded by late Serbian and Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, is part of the ruling coalition at the national level and locally in Vranje.

Local police have confirmed that Antic's vehicle was destroyed in the incident and that there were no injuries or other damage. The investigation into the case is ongoing.