Veselin Milić's murder case mired in contradictory prosecutor statements

Serbian authorities have issued more than 20 public statements since the May 15 arrest of former Belgrade police chief Veselin Milić in connection with the murder of Aleksandar Nešović Baja at Restaurant “27” in the Senjak neighbourhood. The first statement charged Milić with failing to report a crime and aiding its perpetrator. Subsequent releases alleged that Milić had invited the victim, advised him to attend the restaurant without security, was present at the killing, and ordered his body to be hidden.

Later releases contradicted these claims, stating there was no evidence Milić had invited the victim and that surveillance video and phone records showed he could not have been in the restaurant at the time. Three members of Milić’s security detail were cleared of charges, and on June 9 the prosecutor’s office dropped one count of aiding the offender. On June 15 another suspect was arrested, accused of planning or possibly firing the shot. The prosecutor’s office also warned media not to spread unverified reports, such as rumors about the body being buried near Inđija. Retired prosecutor Jasmina Paunović criticised the inconsistent statements, saying they erode public trust in the institution. Milić is expected to be released after his detention ends.