Arrests and Broadcaster Departures Follow Serbia’s Election

Serbia has seen arrests, departures from public broadcasters and the removal of a pro-government encampment since Student List won the October 25 parliamentary election. The vote ousted Aleksandar Vucic after more than a decade in power, with developments across policing, banking, education and culture unfolding in the following week.

Marko Kricak, who heads the Criminal Police Directorate, and Bosko Sekulovic, a commander responsible for combating organized crime, were arrested on November 1. They are accused of abusing their positions in connection with an investigation into a complex May murder case that initially involved Veselin Milic, Belgrade’s police chief at the time. Vucic had decorated and repeatedly praised Kricak, who was also linked to allegations of brutality against anti-government protesters. Prosecutors said his arrest was unrelated to Student List’s election victory.

Alta Bank owner Davor Macura was arrested in Belgrade on November 2 and was due for questioning by the Organized Crime Prosecutor’s office. The National Bank of Serbia revoked Alta’s license on October 30, citing a significant deterioration in its financial condition and the possibility of further decline. Macura has connections to the Vucic government. Several major state-owned companies used the bank, as did Russian-owned businesses and individuals based in Serbia. Its parent company had faced a European Central Bank investigation into suspected money laundering. The company said the inquiry ended in 2025 and that neither the ECB nor another authority had found wrongdoing by Alta Group or its companies.

In central Belgrade, Pioneers’ Park reopened to the public after a pro-government camp beside Parliament was dismantled in the hours after the election results. Established in March 2025 to oppose student-led protests against the government, the camp had been the scene of several violent incidents in and around its grounds. Police had assisted its occupants in restricting access. Ksenija, a local resident who helped clear the park afterward, described “cleaning and crying.”

In Novi Sad, Jovina High School principal Radivoje P. Stojkovic was arrested on October 28 after refusing to follow a court order to reinstate four teachers. They were among several staff suspended in May during mass anti-government demonstrations. The school, which has more than 1,000 students, accused them of manipulating underage pupils by spreading calls for street protests and class boycotts. Stojkovic was a prominent Vucic supporter, and the former leader appeared to support him during the suspension controversy.

The Exit music festival announced plans to return to Novi Sad, where it began, with an unspecified event in July 2027 and a full festival the next year. Its Instagram announcement drew more than 100,000 reactions. One of Europe’s largest music events, Exit left Serbia in 2025, saying it and some sponsors faced undemocratic pressure that organizers linked to their vocal backing of the student protest movement.

Management changes also swept Radio Television of Serbia. Director Manja Grcic dismissed its news department chief on October 28, then resigned later that day under pressure from some employees and student protest representatives. Several other department heads were dismissed, and the broadcaster apologized to viewers for omissions in its previous coverage.

At Radio Television of Vojvodina, based in Novi Sad, General Manager Goran Karadzic resigned on October 26. Editor-in-chief Nenad Cacic followed on October 30. The broadcaster began its evening news with an apology to viewers for failing to fulfill its role over many years.