The interior minister suspects a member of a Montenegrin criminal organisation to be behind the operation.

Alert from European Union regarding assassination attempt

The urgency-flagged information of another plot to assassinate the Serbian president came from the European Law Enforcement Agency (Europol), the Serbian interior minister announced at a press conference. As Aleksandar Vulin said, a police official of an EU member state alerted the Serbian police that a criminal organisation comprised of citizens from several countries was planning to assassinate Aleksandar Vucic. This was followed by a multi-level verification process with the involvement of the Serbian Interior Ministry, the Serbian Security and Intelligence Agency, Europol and its partner organisations, Mr Vulin said, adding that a comprehensive operation was then launched to uncover the members of the criminal group.

A lead to Montenegro

Leads in the case point to neighbouring Montenegro. According to the interior minister, the criminal organisation is headed by Radoje Zvicer, a Montenegrin national and the leader of the Kavac mafia clan. A warrant for his arrest had already been issued in Serbia. Mr Vulin underlined that Mr Zvicer had been implicated in drug trafficking and dealing, as well as murders in Serbia and Montenegro. It is not yet known whether Mr Zvicer planned the assassination himself or whether there is a political motive behind it. This is for the investigation to find out, Mr Vulin added. At a press conference, the interior minister assured citizens that they will do everything possible to preserve the constitutional order and normal life of the people in the country, as well as the life and safety of President Vucic.

Most serious assassination attempt to date

According to information, the assassination attempt against the Serbian head of state was to be carried out in the first half of February. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said this was the most serious assassination attempt ever planned against Aleksandar Vucic. The premier stressed that the members of the criminal organisation are from neighbouring countries and even from the European Union. She confirmed that the group is headed by Radoje Zvicer, adding that there is also someone behind Mr Zvicer. There will be those who mock this, but the fact that Serbia has received the information in written form from the EU authorities proves the seriousness of the situation, Ms Brnabic said.

This is not the first attempt on the life of the Serbian president

Serbian president’s security enhanced

The relevant services have reinforced protection for the head of state, the Serbian prime minister said in an interview with Prva TV. Ms Brnabic also expressed her thanks to all those who are working round the clock to keep the streets safe . This criminal plot knows no borders, with proof that the organisation has members from several countries, she said, adding that the investigation must find out who the person contracting Mr Zvicer is. However, all this is secondary, the most important thing is to protect the life of the president, Ms Brnabic added.

Mr Vucic’s agenda will not change despite the threats, Ms Brnabic said. Whatever the security services warn him about, the Serbian president has plans and goals. He will be at the opening ceremony of motorways, even if this might be life-threatening, she added, noting that although it may sound dramatic, it is the truth. The premier could not disclose from which EU country the warning about the assassination plot was received.

Mr Vucic’s war on the mafia

The Serbian president had angered Mr Zvicer and his ilk when he had previously declared war on the mafia. At the time, Mr Zvicer and his bosses, as well as other criminal organisations, reacted to the measure with disbelief, Ms Brnabic said. Mr Vucic, together with the Serbian security services, dismantled this criminal organisation in Serbia, thus destroying their operations. At the time, as Mr Vucic put it, the mafia cannot be stronger than the state. After news of the recent plot against him, the Serbian president posted on his Instagram page. “No retreat. We’ll defeat them, all of them. Together.” – he wrote.