Dokic’s dad says his jailing is part of a political plot

BELGRADE - Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic’s father Damir has claimed that his being sent to jail is part of a political plot to grab his multi-million dollar property.

Damir was last week sentenced to 15 months’ in jail for threatening Australian ambassador Clare Birgin and for possession of two illegal bombs.

According to The Age, his arrest came after he told Serbian media he would “blow up” the ambassador if she did nothing to stop Fairfax reports he had beaten Jelena when he was her tennis coach. He later repeated the threats in a phone call to the embassy.

“I have been sentenced … just because some crooks from the Democratic Party have used a banal case like mine for furthering their own insidious interests,” Dokic told Serbian daily Glas Javnosti from jail.

“I had earlier been given signals that I should give them my property in Vrdnik, which someone had been eyeing off, for a small sum. But I never wanted to give in to anyone’s pressure. I presume who might be behind this and who dictated that I be sentenced, but I will only speak about that publicly when I am sure,” he added.

Dokic, 50, who runs a multi-million dollar alcohol distillery in the northern Serbian town of Vrdnik, had recently spoken of his wish to retire and sell up. He had claimed that bad publicity was harming his business and continuing pressure would drive down the price of his property.

Dokic, previously a member of the right-wing Serbian Radical Party, which is vehemently opposed to the Democrats, told another newspaper he would seek to serve his sentence before his appeal period expired because “I no longer have any illusions that there is justice in this country”.

Dokic, who is being held at provincial Sremska Mitrovica prison, will be eligible for parole in 10 months.

It is understood the judge refused his request to be freed for three days to organize the management of his business and to help son Savo enroll in college.

Jelena, who has been in constant telephone contact with her younger brother over recent weeks, is understood to be planning a visit to Serbia to see her estranged family after she plays Wimbledon later this month. (ANI)