Marko Zafirović, formerly deputy commander of the controversial Jedinica za obezbeđenje (JZO), has been appointed the new head of the Service for Combating Organized Crime (SBPOK), replacing Dragan Đani Ivanović, who was removed abruptly last week, according to sources cited by Radar.
This reshuffle follows the December appointment of Marko Kričak, also a former JZO commander, to lead the Criminal Police Directorate (UKP), despite reportedly strong internal resistance within the Ministry of Interior (MUP).
Sources indicate that the personnel changes reflect a broader effort to weaken cooperation between the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (JTOK) and SBPOK, the police body responsible for assisting the prosecutor in organized crime investigations.
Zafirović gained notoriety last year for his involvement in interventions against demonstrators in central Belgrade, including detentions from public streets, and has previously served in SBPOK before moving to JZO alongside Kričak. He has also been observed monitoring protest movements in government vehicles, outside the formal remit of his unit.
Radar reports that the UKP, JTOK, and the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade have been informed of these changes, and continued surveillance measures ordered by JTOK may no longer be enforced under the new leadership.
Additionally, Ivan Ristić, a former assistant director of police and ex-member of the notorious Special Operations Unit of the State Security Service, is expected to be appointed commander of JZO. Ristić, who has longstanding political and personal connections with high-ranking members of the ruling SNS party, reportedly sought the SBPOK post but was assigned JZO instead.
These appointments signal a consolidation of MUP leadership by officials with close ties to the ruling party, raising concerns about the independence of anti-crime operations and oversight of police cooperation with prosecutors.
