In a stunning blow to the leadership of Serbia’s security forces, Veselin Milić, the Chief of the Belgrade Police Administration, was arrested on May 15, 2026. Milić is suspected of failing to report a criminal offense and its perpetrator, as well as providing assistance to an offender following the commission of a crime.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) confirmed shortly after the arrest that Milić has been relieved of his duties as the head of the capital’s police force. He is currently being held in a 48-hour detention.
The “Senjak” Incident and the Disappearance of A.N.
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade stated that the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of A.N. (identified by local media as Aleksandar Nešović), a high-ranking member of a prominent Belgrade criminal group.
Nešović was last heard from on the night of May 12, while he was at a restaurant in the upscale Senjak neighborhood. According to his common-law wife, who reported him missing the following evening, his mobile phone was switched off shortly after their last contact at approximately 11:00 PM.
Upon processing the scene at the restaurant, forensic investigators discovered:
- Two spent bullet casings.
- Multiple blood traces within the establishment, suspected to belong to the missing person.
- Evidence suggestive of an attempted aggravated murder.
A Wider Circle of Suspects
The investigation has not stopped at the police chief. Several other individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the case:
- Three Police Officers: Reports indicate these individuals served as Milić’s personal security detail.
- Establishment Personnel: The owner and a waiter from the Senjak restaurant.
- Primary Suspects: Two individuals suspected of attempted aggravated murder and illegal weapons possession.
- Accomplices: The wife of the alleged shooter was also arrested for reportedly bringing the firearm to the location.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
Veselin Milić has long been considered one of the most influential figures in Serbian law enforcement, frequently described as a trusted ally of President Aleksandar Vučić. His career included a stint as the President’s advisor for the fight against corruption and crime between 2018 and 2020.
The arrest has triggered a wave of condemnation from opposition parties, who argue the case exposes a deep-seated symbiosis between the state and organized crime.
“This is the image of a ‘captured state’ where the top police officer of Belgrade is a direct accomplice in crimes while misleading the public with stories about safety,” stated the Srbija Centar (SRCE) party.
Other political entities, including the People’s Movement of Serbia and the Party of Freedom and Justice, have called for the immediate resignation of Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Police Director Dragan Vasiljević, citing a total collapse of institutional accountability.
Career Milestones of Veselin Milić
Milić’s trajectory within the MUP was marked by rapid promotion and high-level accolades:
- 2013–2018: Served his first term as Belgrade Police Chief.
- 2021: Awarded the “Miloš Obilić” Gold Medal for Bravery by President Vučić.
- 2024: Received the “Star of Jakov Nenadović,” the Ministry’s highest honor.
However, his tenure was also marked by controversy, most notably in 2023, when he was criticized for publicly displaying a “hit list” of students during a press conference following the mass shooting at Vladislav Ribnikar Model Elementary School.
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office has yet to clarify whether Milić was physically present at the restaurant during the shooting or the exact nature of his involvement in concealing the incident.
