Journalist Alleges Gendarmerie Guards Serbian Criminals, Links President to Underworld Figures
Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Journalist Vuk Cvijić claims Gendarmerie members provide private security for Milan Radoičić and Zvonko Veselinović's properties.
- Cvijić alleges the current government relies more on criminals than police, with officers acting as escorts for criminals.
- He also links President Vučić to individuals with criminal records, citing past associations and alleged security roles.
Journalist Vuk Cvijić alleges that members of the Gendarmerie are providing private security services for Milan Radoičić and properties owned by Zvonko Veselinović. Cvijić stated that prohibitions against Ministry of Interior (MUP) members providing security for criminals are merely a "publicity mechanism," suggesting it has become a de facto obligation under the current administration.
We have it in the law that it is not allowed, but during this government, it has become practically a police obligation.
Cvijić questioned the oversight of a helicopter used by Veselinović, asking who maintains it and if a MUP crew operates it. He also pointed to Radoičić as being practically protected from criminal prosecution, alleging he has been allowed to form a paramilitary unit. The journalist asserted that the current government relies more on criminals than police, with officers acting as escorts for criminal activities.
Who takes care of the helicopter that Zvonko Veselinović uses, who maintains it, and does a MUP crew fly it? Is it a MUP helicopter? We see complete protection and that Radoičić is practically protected from criminal prosecution - a man who is allowed to create a paramilitary unit.
Cvijić traced connections between President Vučić and individuals from the criminal underworld back to the 1990s. He also stated that groups hiding behind fan organizations are protected in Serbia, particularly under the current government, and are being exploited. He cited examples of individuals with criminal backgrounds appearing in public spaces and being released prematurely from prison.
The government relies on criminals more than on police officers. Police officers are like escort escorts for criminals to provide services.
Further allegations include a man previously arrested for heroin possession, who later guarded Vučić, as an example of the milieu the president allegedly cultivates. Cvijić also referenced reports of Vučić meeting with individuals who have extensive criminal records, including at a sports celebration.
Especially under this government, it is protected and abused. As we have seen Zvonko Veselinović's people in Ćacilend, those people who were in Banjska, one of them caused a traffic accident in which the parents of a police officer died - the same hooligans are in Ćacilend, we see some who were prematurely released like Đorđe Prelić.
Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.