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Serbian Interior Minister Denies Appointing Police Chief Implicated in "Senjak" Case Evidence Tampering

Serbian Interior Minister Denies Appointing Police Chief Implicated in "Senjak" Case Evidence Tampering

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić addressed the "Senjak" case, stating he did not appoint Veselin Milić, the former head of Belgrade police implicated in evidence tampering.
  • Dačić asserted he bears no guilt in the case and has removed Milić from duty while the investigation proceeds.
  • The case involves the suspected murder of Aleksandar Nešović and the alleged involvement of police officers in removing evidence, with a body believed to be Nešović's found in a barrel.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić has broken his silence on the "Senjak" case, a high-profile investigation involving alleged murder and evidence tampering by police officials. Dačić explicitly denied appointing Veselin Milić, the former head of Belgrade police who is suspected of participating in the removal of crime scene evidence.

Why should I offer my resignation because of that? I bear no guilt in this regard, nor did I participate in those criminal acts.

— Ivica DačićResponding to questions about whether he had offered to resign in connection with the "Senjak" case.

"Why should I offer my resignation because of that? I bear no guilt in this regard, nor did I participate in those criminal acts," Dačić stated in response to questions about whether he had offered to resign. He clarified that the police director, not the minister, manages the police force. Dačić also mentioned he is still recovering from health issues but intends to continue his state functions as long as possible.

Dačić characterized Milić as being from the circle of former police director Veljović, who was appointed by the Democratic Party. However, Dačić acknowledged Milić's positive results in Belgrade, which he described as one of the safest cities. "I did not appoint Milić," Dačić reiterated, emphasizing that no one is above the law.

Veselin Milić is from the milieu of former police director Veljović, whom the Democratic Party appointed. But he had good results in Belgrade, and Belgrade was and is one of the safest cities.

— Ivica DačićDescribing the background of Veselin Milić and acknowledging his past performance in Belgrade.

The investigation into the suspected murder of Aleksandar Nešović has led to the discovery of a body believed to be his in a barrel unearthed in the municipality of Inđija. The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade is overseeing the investigation, which involves 10 suspects. Arrests were made swiftly, and most suspects are in custody, with one under house arrest.

I did not appoint Milić.

— Ivica DačićClarifying his role in Veselin Milić's appointment.

Dačić highlighted that the police made arrests in record time and that the prosecutor is leading the investigation. He confirmed that he personally took the step of removing Milić from his service. The minister also drew a parallel to the socialist era, suggesting that such criminal involvement by police officials would have been unthinkable and deeply shameful.

No one is protected... the police made arrests in record time, and the prosecutor is leading the investigation.

— Ivica DačićAssuring that the investigation is proceeding effectively and impartially.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.