Veselin Milić, the former head of the Belgrade police, has not been subjected to integrity tests over the past five years, according to a response from Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP). This revelation comes amid public scrutiny following the murder of Aleksandar Nešović, known as ‘Baja,’ in May 2026, which brought Milić’s role into question. The MUP’s internal control sector explained that it is not feasible to conduct integrity tests for the position of head of the Belgrade police, citing the difficulty in creating a legally compliant and relevant scenario for such testing.
The MUP did conduct a property check on Milić, which revealed no discrepancies in his asset declarations. However, investigative media have raised questions about the effectiveness of these checks, pointing out that Milić owns luxury apartments in a high-end building in Dedinje, Belgrade, which were not listed in his official asset declarations. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) reported that Milić and his in-laws own adjacent apartments in the building, with one unit selling for as much as 1.25 million euros. These findings have fueled ongoing concerns about potential corruption within the Serbian police force.
Public trust in the MUP has been declining, partly due to alleged connections between high-ranking officials and criminal groups. Milić was initially a suspect in the investigation of Nešović’s murder, with allegations that he was present at the crime scene and had prior contact with the victim. Although the initial charges against Milić for aiding the perpetrator were dropped due to insufficient evidence, he now faces accusations of failing to report the crime and falsifying official records.
The MUP’s response to inquiries about Milić’s integrity and property checks has been criticized for lacking transparency. The Ministry’s refusal to disclose detailed information about Milić’s asset status, citing an ongoing pre-investigation process, has further fueled public skepticism. Legal experts suggest that a more thorough examination of the origins of assets held by high-ranking officials could provide a clearer picture of corruption risks.
The situation underscores broader issues of accountability and corruption within the Serbian police. Critics argue that the current system of integrity checks is inadequate and that more robust measures are needed to ensure transparency and public trust. The lack of integrity testing for key positions, such as the head of the Belgrade police, highlights potential gaps in the oversight mechanisms intended to prevent corruption.
As the investigation into Nešović’s murder continues, the implications for the MUP and its leadership remain significant. The public’s perception of the police force and its ability to effectively combat crime and corruption is at stake. The case has also prompted discussions about the need for systemic reforms within the Ministry to address these longstanding issues.
