The Serbian Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office (JTOK) has clarified why it returned the investigation into the October 22 shooting near the Serbian Parliament, known as the “Ćacilend” incident, to the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office (VJT) in Belgrade.
In an official statement, JTOK said that the investigation remains under the jurisdiction of the prosecutor’s office that originally launched it, since there is currently “sufficient evidence indicating reasonable suspicion that the acts committed fall under that office’s jurisdiction.”
Prosecutor’s Office Learned About the Incident from Media Reports
JTOK revealed that it had not been officially notified about the event by competent authorities and instead learned about it from media coverage. Upon discovering the reports, the office immediately requested information from the Criminal Investigation Directorate.
According to JTOK, that request was later forwarded to the Belgrade Police Department, but no official response has yet been received.
Only on October 27 did the Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office submit case files against suspect Vladan Anđelković to JTOK for review—specifically to determine whether the suspect’s actions could be classified as terrorism under Article 391 of the Criminal Code or another crime within JTOK’s authority.
Lack of Evidence and Missing Materials
JTOK stated that the submitted documents contained only a criminal complaint, a record of the suspect’s interrogation (in which he exercised his legal right to remain silent), and two ballistic reports.
However, the files did not include any data from the suspect’s mobile phone or other crucial materials that the Belgrade Prosecutor’s Office should have obtained during its investigation.
“The investigation is led by the office that issued the order to launch it, as there is currently evidence supporting reasonable suspicion that crimes within its jurisdiction have been committed,” JTOK emphasized.
It added that since this is a detention case, the prosecutor’s office must act urgently and with priority.
Public Interest Prompts New Statement
JTOK explained that it decided to issue another public statement due to high public interest and numerous media inquiries regarding the shooting outside the Serbian Parliament.
Previously, the Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that it had returned the case to the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, arguing that the available evidence was insufficient to make a lawful and final assessment of the legal qualification of the acts committed.
The Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, however, responded that JTOK has no hierarchical authority to issue directives regarding its handling of the case.
