Dismissed Police Chief Claims He's Being Framed, Demands Polygraph

Veselin Milić, the dismissed head of Belgrade police, has claimed he is being "framed" and "presented as a monster" without evidence, according to his lawyer. Milić, who was questioned for a second time in connection with a murder at the "27" restaurant, requested a polygraph test to prove his innocence.

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In the best interest, I presented all the information I learned to the police officers, I told the truth, but apparently, that truth did not interest them. The police officers participating in this persecution and framing of me have very maliciously and perfidiously misled both this prosecution and the state, as well as the MUP and the public, where I have been presented as a monster, without a single piece of evidence. They can do that tomorrow to any of you, any citizen.

His lawyer, Nemanja Vasiljević, stated that no evidence has been presented to link Milić to the accusations. Milić reportedly prepared an official note the day after the shooting and left the restaurant 35 minutes before the incident. However, his lawyer alleges that the detention request against him was based on a criminal complaint without supporting evidence from the UKP.

Milić, who previously served as an advisor to the Serbian president, asserted in his testimony that police officers involved in his "persecution" have "maliciously and perfidiously misled" the prosecution, the state, the Ministry of Interior (MUP), and the public. He warned that such actions could be taken against any citizen.

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Now we will see a fight in the MUP over those positions, which only indicates that we have interest groups in the MUP. What they all have in common is that they work for someone, and what they all have in common is that they do not work in the interest of the state. I think there will be a serious cleanup now, especially in the Police Administration for the City of Belgrade, which they consider Milić's estate.

Journalist Miloš Ž. Lazić of Nova.rs suggested that internal power struggles within the MUP, particularly concerning positions in the Belgrade police administration, are at play. He believes "interest groups" are working for personal gain rather than the state's interest, and that the ruling SNS party influences police appointments. Two of Milić's close associates have reportedly been detained for abuse of office, accused of illegally facilitating weapons permits for individuals with security concerns.

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He will not react to the sudden enrichment of high-ranking police officials, especially if they were appointed by the current government. Our police are in such a state that they anticipate and listen to the regime's wishes because the SNS cadres the police.

The Ministry of Interior has not confirmed whether Milić himself was ever investigated by its internal control sector. Despite assurances from the Minister of Police and the director of the police that no one would be protected in this case, concerns remain about transparency, with one parliamentary committee reportedly being briefed on security service details while another remains closed to the public.

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No one will be protected.