Serbia's Police Chief Arrested Amidst Allegations of Election Influence

Marko Kricak, the head of Serbia's criminal police directorate, found himself behind bars recently, arrested for alleged abuse of office. This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of his actions following the country’s parliamentary elections, where Student List emerged victorious over President Aleksandar Vucic's ruling right-wing party on October 25th ¹.

Kricak, known for his loyalty to Vucic, faces accusations of suppressing and manipulating an investigation into a murder that occurred at a Belgrade restaurant in May ¹². These charges have added fuel to the fire of public discontent, especially among student groups who previously criticized him for what they deemed 'brutal' responses to demonstrations that played a significant part in Vucic's party's electoral defeat ¹².

The arrest of Kricak also brings attention to his career trajectory. He began his professional journey as a car salesman before joining Serbia’s domestic intelligence agency, BIA, and later took on roles such as commander of the Serbian police's personal protection unit in July 2023 and head of the Serbian Criminal Police at the end of 2025 ¹. His rise through these ranks has been marked by notable political affiliations and now, controversy.

Adding another layer to the complexity of the situation, Belgrade's chief prosecutor, Nenad Stefanovic, has stated that Kricak and Sekulovic are suspected of abusing their offices and failing to uphold their duties ². Furthermore, Veselin Milic, Belgrade's former police chief, initiated legal action against Kricak and Sekulovic while in custody, highlighting the ongoing legal challenges faced by these officials ².

The case against Kricak stems from an investigation into the murder of a suspected criminal figure at a Belgrade restaurant in May, which has become a focal point for discussions about justice and political influence in Serbia ². Meanwhile, the broader political landscape continues to evolve, with recent events such as the Novi Sad railway station disaster, which claimed 16 lives when a concrete canopy collapsed, adding to the nation’s narrative ².

In January 2025, Vucic pardoned students and activists who had been prosecuted over the protests that contributed to his party’s downfall, further intertwining the threads of political and social change in Serbia ².

What We Know

• Marko Kricak, head of Serbia's criminal police directorate, was arrested for abuse of office ¹²
• Kricak is accused of suppressing and manipulating an investigation into a murder in May at a Belgrade restaurant ¹²
• Kricak is considered a loyalist to the defeated President Aleksandar Vucic ¹²
• Student groups accused Kricak of 'brutality' in the police response to demonstrations that contributed to Vucic's party's downfall ¹²
• Student List won the parliamentary elections on October 25, defeating Vucic's party ¹
• Kricak worked as a car salesman before joining Serbia's domestic intelligence agency, BIA ¹
• Kricak was appointed commander of the Serbian police's personal protection unit in July 2023 ¹
• Kricak became head of the Serbian Criminal Police at the end of 2025 ¹
• Nenad Stefanovic, Belgrade's chief prosecutor, stated that Kricak and Sekulovic were suspected of abusing their offices and failing to uphold their duties ²
• Veselin Milic, Belgrade's former police chief, initiated legal action against Kricak and Sekulovic while in custody ²
• The allegations against Kricak and Sekulovic arose from an investigation into the murder of a suspected criminal figure in a Belgrade restaurant in May ²
• The Novi Sad railway station disaster resulted in the death of 16 people when a concrete canopy collapsed ²
• Students and activists prosecuted over the protests were pardoned by Vucic in January 2025 ²