Lawmaker Criticizes Serbian Authorities Over Slow Progress in Senjak Murder Case

Natalija Stojmenović, a lawmaker from the Green-Left Front, has criticized Serbian authorities, stating they are more concerned with media reactions than with clarifying a recent murder case on Senjak. She asserted that after ten days, the public still lacks crucial answers regarding the killing and the involvement of Belgrade's police chief, Veselin Milić.

Speaking about a parliamentary committee session on defense and security concerning the murder, Stojmenović expressed low expectations for complete answers from government representatives. She highlighted that neither the police nor the public prosecutor's office has provided concrete information, even about the sequence of events following the murder of Aleksandar Nešović.

"With this murder, you had a situation where the body was set on fire at one point, then moved, then it was in one location, then another. Essentially, in Serbia, you seem to be able to do more when you are dead than when you are alive," Stojmenović commented. She also criticized Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, suggesting he would prefer the "Senjak" case and Milić's alleged involvement not be discussed.

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Essentially, in Serbia, you seem to be able to do more when you are dead than when you are alive.

Stojmenović found it peculiar that the Ministry of Internal Affairs possesses two facial recognition software systems, yet "neither seems to be working around the '27' restaurant" where the incident occurred. She recalled President Aleksandar Vučić's statement that "Serbian police have been protecting criminals for 40 years," deeming it a dangerous remark, especially given Dačić's long tenure in power.

She pointed out that Veselin Milić should have been held accountable in 2016 for allegedly covering up the "Savamala" incident and again in 2023 after publishing a list of children following the Ribnikar school shooting. Regarding the Public Prosecutor's Office's response to media reports about the Senjak case, Stojmenović stated that the institution has been more focused on "what the media is publishing than telling us what is actually happening." She questioned the numerous statements from the prosecution over the past ten days, noting the lack of information on whether Milić met with criminal groups, and recalled that the prosecution had not previously appealed to outlets like Informer for publishing insinuations in other cases.

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The prosecution has issued about 10 statements in the last 10 days, and we still don't have information on whether Veselin Milić was at a meeting with criminal groups.