In Serbia, police detained the commander, deputy, and two members of Special Intervention Unit 92 in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in a Belgrade restaurant in November. The prosecution suspects the detainees of attempting to cover up the incident.
The Belgrade High Prosecutor's Office announced that the unit commander D. N. and his deputy J. S. were detained on charges of abuse of influence. Two other members of the unit, N. S. and N. K., were detained on suspicion of abuse of public office.
Restaurant Manager Also Under Investigation
The restaurant manager, D. Z., was also detained in connection with the incident where gunshots were heard. He is suspected of failing to report the crime and the perpetrator, as well as aiding the perpetrator after the crime was committed.
Another individual under investigation, S. V., is being examined on charges of endangering public safety and illegal possession and carrying of weapons. The prosecution noted that S. V. is already in custody on suspicion of attempted murder in a separate case.
Authorities believe S. V. was involved in an altercation at the restaurant and fired a shot toward a person nicknamed "Runjo." The bullet did not hit the target but struck the restaurant's window.
Allegations of Attempted Cover-Up
According to the prosecution, the unit commander and his deputy instructed their subordinates N. S. and N. K. not to investigate the incident. It is alleged that they ordered no notification to the crime scene investigation team, no securing of the location, no collection of evidence, and no reporting to the prosecutor's office.
Police officers were reportedly instructed to portray the incident not as a shooting but as a verbal dispute and a routine bar fight. The prosecution states these instructions aimed to alter the course of the investigation.
Suspicions of Evidence Destruction
The restaurant manager D. Z. is also accused of not informing the police that the shooting occurred in front of him. The prosecution claims he deleted security camera footage, instructed employees to clean the scene and conceal traces, and told police that the bullet hole in the window was pre-existing.
Former Belgrade police chief Veselin Milic was detained on May 15 on suspicion of aiding a suspect in a serious murder case at another Belgrade restaurant. However, the prosecution dropped this charge on Tuesday. The allegation of failing to report the crime against Milic remains under investigation.
In the same case, two police officers from Serbia's witness protection unit were detained last week and questioned.
Media reports suggested the person shot at the restaurant had links to a criminal organization, but this information has not been officially confirmed.
Following Milic's detention, President Aleksandar Vucic stated that police and military personnel acting beyond officially authorized duties would no longer be allowed to serve in any police or armed forces units. On May 20, Vucic emphasized zero tolerance toward those collaborating with drug dealers and criminals.
