New Sky messages published by Serbian investigative outlet Radar raise serious questions about alleged connections between Aleksandar Vučić, the Serbian political establishment and the criminal network of convicted drug trafficker Darko Šarić.
According to Radar, the encrypted Sky correspondence reveals that the nicknames “Oskar” and “Čvarak” were used to refer to Vučić. The messages reportedly show Šarić and his associates discussing alleged contacts with people connected to Serbia’s political leadership, political financing, votes and possible favours involving judicial proceedings.
One message dated June 3, 2020, reportedly shows Šarić telling his associate Željko Vujanović: “We call Oskar Vučić.” On July 31, 2020, when asked who “Oskar” was, Vujanović allegedly replied: “Vučić.” In another message, dated November 20, 2020, Šarić reportedly wrote to his brother Duško: “Čvarak is Oskar.”
These messages raise an uncomfortable question: why was Serbia’s most powerful political figure allegedly being discussed under coded nicknames in communications involving a convicted drug trafficker and his associates?
Radar also reports that the correspondence contains references to alleged arrangements involving Šarić’s surrender, financial support for the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), political votes and promises of possible pardons or intervention in judicial matters. One quoted message refers to a promise to correct an outcome involving judges or punishment through a pardon. The full context and authenticity of these exchanges remain essential to establishing what, if anything, was agreed.
The reported communications also mention Andrej Vučić, the president’s brother, and Danilo Vučić, his son, in connection with people associated with Šarić’s network. Radar further reports that a photograph exchanged through Sky allegedly shows Danilo Vučić with Aleksandar Bošković, who is mentioned in separate criminal proceedings involving an alleged attack on cooperating witness Nebojša Joksović.
These are not minor allegations. If authenticated and corroborated, the messages warrant serious scrutiny of the alleged connections between criminal networks, political financing and people close to Serbia’s leadership. The public deserves clear answers about whether these contacts existed, what was discussed and whether any political or institutional favours were exchanged.
Šarić was convicted in connection with the smuggling of nearly six tonnes of cocaine. His associate Željko Vujanović served a 13-year prison sentence for his involvement in the case, completing it in August 2024.
The central issue is accountability. Serbia cannot credibly claim that the rule of law applies equally to everyone if allegations involving people at the highest levels of power are not thoroughly and independently investigated. The publication of coded messages is not, by itself, proof of criminal guilt but neither should allegations of this magnitude be dismissed without answers.
If “Oskar” and “Čvarak” refer to Vučić, as Radar argues, what exactly did the people exchanging these messages know about his alleged contacts with Šarić’s circle? And will Serbia’s institutions investigate these claims independently, regardless of how close the names involved may be to the ruling establishment?
