Miroslav Antic& SNN
Thu, 22 Jan 2004 14:44:26 -0800
| Jackson 'wore Serbian medal upside down' |
Serbian media is demanding Michael Jackson apologise for wearing one of the country's top honours for his court case - and for putting it on upside down.
There has been public outrage in the Balkan state since a historian revealed he had identified Jackson as wearing the Order of the White Eagle, which it is believed he bought in a second hand shop in America.
Miladin Markovic, Serbia's top expert on historical orders and medals and head of the National Numismatic Association, told Belgrade daily newspaper Blic: "It was degrading to see him wearing it on a day when he was at a court hearing in a paedophilia case."
The Order of the White Eagle was created by King Milan I of Serbia in 1883. But it is not clear whether Jackson was wearing a copy or an original medal.
Mr Markovic said: "In Serbian history the order has been given to people for brave behaviour on battlefields.
"As far as I know Michael Jackson bought it in a second hand shop in Las Vegas and I believe he doesn't know the meaning of the order. And not only that - but in the photo I saw he was wearing it upside down."
Story filed: 14:10 Thursday 22nd January 2004