Former senior police officers, intelligence officials, and military security officials are calling on Serbia’s security institutions to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, warning against political interference, voter intimidation, and electoral manipulation.
Ahead of Serbia’s parliamentary elections, a group of former senior officials from the police and security services has urged members of these institutions to act in accordance with the Constitution and the law, rather than serving the interests of political leaders.
The public appeal, initiated by the Integrity Network of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, comes amid heightened political tensions, with the role of security institutions seen as crucial to ensuring free and fair elections.
“Do Not Become an Instrument of Political Power”
The signatories stress that the primary responsibility of the police and security services is to protect citizens and uphold the constitutional order. They warn that neither political orders nor pressure from superiors can justify violations of the law.
“Our legal duty is to protect citizens and serve the state, not political parties and individuals,” the appeal states.
According to the former officials, every member of the security institutions bears personal responsibility for their actions, as well as for failing to act when legally obligated to prevent unlawful conduct.
They call on the police to prevent violence, voter intimidation, and electoral abuses, while safeguarding the integrity of the vote-counting process and the announcement of election results.
Warning of Post-Election Tensions
The appeal emphasizes that the responsibilities of security institutions do not end when polling stations close. They must respond to any attempt to unlawfully alter election results and protect citizens’ right to peaceful protest.
The former officials warn that security institutions could play two very different roles in Serbia’s political crisis: defending the constitutional order or becoming instruments for maintaining power and targeting political opponents.
“The institutions you belong to must not become a tool for retaining power at any cost or settling scores with political opponents,” the document states.
The signatories also stress that the coming days will test not only the professionalism of Serbia’s institutions but also the personal integrity of those serving within them.
Support for Judicial Independence
The appeal also expresses support for initiatives urging prosecutors and judges to fulfil their responsibilities in defending the rule of law.
According to the signatories, the upcoming elections could represent one of the most significant political moments in Serbia since the restoration of the multiparty system.
They call for the political crisis to be resolved peacefully and democratically, emphasizing that responsibility rests not only with political parties but also with institutions tasked with enforcing the law and protecting citizens.
The published list reportedly includes former senior police officers, former officials of Serbia’s Security Intelligence Agency (BIA), former commanders of special units, and former military security officials.
The central message of the appeal is clear: Serbia’s police and security services must serve the state and its citizens—not the interests of any political party or individual leader.
