Arrests and investigations in Serbia have begun following the recent parliamentary elections that resulted in the victory of the student list. These elections, held on October 25, ended 14 years of rule by Aleksandar Vučić and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), and now significant political changes are occurring.
Flight to Moscow Halted
Flight JU134 of Air Serbia from Belgrade to Moscow on November 3 was forced to return to Belgrade while in Lithuanian airspace. Among the passengers on this flight were three key figures from the former regime of Aleksandar Vučić, including Aleksandar Vulin, Dušan Bajatović, and Nenad Popović. These individuals are known for their close ties to Moscow and allegations of corruption.
According to unofficial reports, this flight was returned due to a security breach as Vulin boarded without undergoing necessary security checks. Vulin has been under U.S. sanctions since 2023.
Post-Election Developments
Post-election developments include arrests and the initiation of judicial investigations into corruption and electoral manipulation. Four individuals were arrested on suspicion of vote buying in Novi Sad, and six others were detained in Mali Zvornik for assisting in the registration of citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina for voting.
One of the most significant cases is the arrest of judge Mačura, the owner of Alta Bank, who is accused of illegal access to the bank's vault and embezzling approximately 383 million euros. His arrest occurred just days after the National Bank of Serbia revoked Alta Bank's license.
The investigations also involve senior police officials and managers of state-owned companies on charges of abuse of power and fraud in public tenders. Representatives of the student list have called for investigations into unresolved corruption cases and emphasize that no one should be above the law.
Analyses indicate that these developments, following the victory of the student list, are leading to efforts to improve judicial conditions and accountability regarding corruption. However, questions remain about the accuracy and quality of these investigations.
Taja Arsić, a new representative from the student list, stated that "the only privileges that exist in the judicial system are due to some individuals obstructing their duties." Therefore, all institutions must fulfill their responsibilities and prevent corruption.
In the days following the elections, reports and videos emerged suggesting the potential destruction of official documents in government institutions and public companies. The Attorney General of Serbia, Zagorka Dolovac, responded to this issue by issuing an order to all public prosecutors to prevent the destruction of official documents.
Despite these developments, it remains unclear whether institutions will genuinely investigate individuals who held the highest political positions. Former President Aleksandar Vučić stated that he is not afraid of arrest and will not find any evidence of financial misconduct against himself.
