Serbia’s opposition party Serbia Centre (SRCE) stated on Wednesday that the dismissal of criminal charges against former Belgrade police chief Veselin Milić does not close the case surrounding the fatal shooting at Restaurant “27” in Belgrade’s Senjak neighborhood, a case in which Milić had been accused of concealing evidence.
In a statement issued by the party’s Committee for Defense and Internal Affairs, SRCE argued that the public deserves a full explanation regarding the circumstances that led to the investigation and the subsequent decision by the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade to dismiss the complaint.
“On the contrary, if there are no longer grounds for suspicions that only a few weeks ago justified the arrest of one of the most powerful figures in Serbia’s security system, the public has the right to know why,” the party said.
According to SRCE, if the original assessment that led to the arrest was incorrect, authorities should explain how such a conclusion was reached. If the assessment was justified at the time, the party argues that the public should be informed about what changed during the course of the investigation.
The opposition party also raised several questions regarding the handling of the case, including why a search of Milić’s apartment was conducted only thirteen days after his arrest.
“How is it possible that a man who led the Belgrade police for years and served as President Aleksandar Vučić’s personal adviser on combating crime became the subject of an investigation in one of the country’s most serious criminal cases? How is it possible that a search of his apartment was carried out only thirteen days after his arrest?” SRCE asked.
The party further questioned whether the premises had been sealed during that period and, if so, who authorized such a decision. If they had not been sealed, SRCE demanded an explanation as to why not.
SRCE maintained that public confidence in law enforcement institutions is not undermined by opposition criticism, but rather by a lack of transparency, accountability, and public communication from state institutions.
“Trust in the police is not being eroded by opposition parties, but by the silence of institutions, the absence of accountability, and the perception that the full truth is halted whenever investigations reach individuals close to those in power,” the statement said.
The party called on prosecutors to publicly clarify all circumstances surrounding the investigation against Milić, including the reasons for the delayed apartment search and who bears responsibility for that decision.
“While the prosecutor’s decision may have closed one avenue of investigation, it has not resolved the issue of accountability. The public is still waiting for answers,” the statement concluded.
