The Serbian authorities are facing growing scrutiny over their handling of organized crime investigations, particularly involving Darko Šarić, a convicted drug trafficker, and the alleged interference of the Vučić family in the judicial process.
According to investigative reports, the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (TOK) is under mounting pressure from the government. Media and political sources indicate that amendments to the law could strip TOK of its independence, potentially merging it under the Higher Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, effectively neutralizing its authority.
A significant source of tension stems from new Sky (Sky ECC) communications obtained via Europol, which reportedly implicate high-ranking Serbian officials, including President Aleksandar Vučić and his brother Andrej Vučić, in discussions connected to alleged corruption and influence over judicial proceedings. However, the Ministry of Interior (MUP) has reportedly delayed forwarding these communications to TOK, raising questions about political motives.
The documents reportedly also reference court cases concerning corruption in the reconstruction of a station canopy in Novi Sad, the Novosad–border railway project, and attempts to influence outcomes in the General Staff case. TOK has pursued additional cases against Šarić for continued drug trafficking activities from prison using the Sky application, highlighting the ongoing nexus between organized crime and political power.
Judges involved in these cases, including Milimir Lukić and Dejan Terzić, have publicly expressed concern over government interference, describing the judicial system as “a discordant orchestra” where political influence compromises the independence of courts. Both judges indicated that Sky communications clearly demonstrate attempts to manipulate judicial outcomes, including removal of judges from high-profile cases.
In one particularly controversial instance, Šarić was temporarily moved from maximum-security detention to house arrest in Belgrade, following indications from Sky communications that connected the case to political actors. Only after new communications were obtained was Šarić rearrested.
Investigations also suggest ongoing links between Šarić’s network and influential Serbian politicians, including Andrej Vučić and Miloš Vučević, raising concerns over entrenched corruption at the highest levels.
Observers warn that if TOK’s independence is undermined, these high-profile corruption cases may never be fully investigated, leaving the Serbian judicial system vulnerable to political manipulation.
