Controversial Serbian businessman Zvonko Veselinović has reportedly travelled to Turkey as Serbian authorities carry out a series of arrests targeting businessmen and former officials linked to the government of former President Aleksandar Vučić.
According to information provided to journalists from the investigative outlet KRIK, Veselinović departed early Wednesday morning from Sarajevo on a flight to Istanbul, using his Serbian passport.
His reported departure comes amid arrests of several businessmen and officials who allegedly enjoyed privileged positions and political protection during the rule of Vučić and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
Veselinović is known for his close connections to Serbia’s former political establishment, particularly Andrej Vučić, the brother of Aleksandar Vučić. Investigations have also pointed to his alleged influence over appointments within the Serbian police, while his construction company secured millions of euros in state-funded contracts.
Messages exchanged through the encrypted Sky application and published by KRIK two years ago reportedly revealed how Veselinović secured lucrative government contracts and benefited financially from them.
“Brother, you know how many millions he gets. And even that is not enough for him,” one member of a rival criminal group allegedly wrote in a message describing Veselinović’s business activities.
Allegations of organized crime and political protection
Reports from police and security agencies previously published by KRIK identified Veselinović as one of the leading Serbian criminal figures operating in Kosovo.
According to those reports, his group was allegedly involved in drug, weapons and fuel smuggling, loan-sharking and money laundering.
In Serbia, Veselinović has faced several criminal investigations and charges, including allegations involving drug trafficking, truck theft and illegal sand excavation. However, most judicial proceedings against him ended in acquittals during Vučić’s time in power.
One of the most serious allegations concerns his suspected involvement in the January 2018 assassination of Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanović.
Kosovo prosecutors have also implicated Veselinović’s godfather, Milan Radoičić, in the murder. Both men were alleged to have enjoyed protection from Serbia’s former leadership.
Veselinović was placed on the US Treasury Department’s sanctions list in late 2021 over allegations that he had bribed politicians to facilitate his illegal activities. The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on him the following year.
Sky messages reportedly exposed influence over police appointments
Despite the allegations and international sanctions, Veselinović maintained significant political and business influence in Serbia, with connections reaching the highest levels of the former government.
Messages published by KRIK also reportedly revealed his involvement in discussions about senior police appointments.
In 2020, Veselinović allegedly opposed the appointment of Veselin Milić, who at the time headed the Criminal Police Directorate (UKP) and is now facing charges over the alleged failure to report a murder.
According to the published messages, Veselinović warned Andrej Vučić that he would no longer support the SNS if Milić were appointed to the position.
His reported departure to Turkey comes at a politically sensitive moment, as Serbian authorities intensify investigations and arrests involving figures associated with the previous administration.
