# Crime and police activity in the Balkans > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-police-activity-in-the-balkans > Updated: 2026-08-17T17:06:31.000Z. Sources: 84. Developments: 5. Criminal activities and police operations continue across the Balkans, with recent reports highlighting hostage situations, cybercrime, fraud, and arson. In Serbia, details emerged regarding a high-stakes hostage situation in Uršini Selo involving an armed robber and Đevad Ljutić. Additionally, the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) has condemned direct threats sent via Facebook to journalist Biljana Stepanović, prompting calls for the prosecution of the individual responsible. In Croatia, authorities arrested four individuals—three Croatian citizens aged 42, 45, and 46, and a 33-year-old Polish woman—suspected of starting fires at ten locations in Zadar County. The arrests followed a citizen report of suspicious activity near Benkovac on August 15. Investigators believe the group acted according to a prior plan to endanger lives and property, using lighters and open flames on August 14 and 15. The fires caused significant damage, including the destruction of a vehicle in Bili Brig and 43 olive trees near Škabrnja. During searches, police seized a semi-automatic rifle with 44 rounds of ammunition, a pistol, and several mobile phones. The Croatian Office for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime (USKOK) has joined the investigation, which is also being examined for potential links to terrorism. Judge Hrvoje Visković of the Zadar County Court ordered one month of investigative detention for the suspects to prevent witness influence or flight, noting that one suspect holds dual Croatian and Serbian citizenship. The suspects reportedly partially confessed to lighting the fires using lighters and were under the influence of alcohol at the time. Milorad Pupovac, president of the SDSS, condemned the acts, warning that they could “fuel religious and national hatred.” While currently charged as a serious crime against public safety, authorities noted the legal classification could be upgraded to terrorism. ## Claims - The group includes three Croatian men and one Polish woman (corroborated by 7 sources) - The suspects are accused of causing ten fires in the Zadar region (corroborated by 6 sources) - The suspects allegedly used lighters to burn dry grass near roads (corroborated by 6 sources) - The arrests followed a citizen report regarding a fire started near a road in the Benkovac area. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Police seized a semi-automatic rifle with 44 rounds of ammunition from one suspect and a pistol from another. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Investigators believe the four suspects acted based on a prior plan and mutual agreement. (corroborated by 5 sources) - A one-month investigative detention was ordered for the four suspects. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The fires destroyed a parked vehicle in Bili Brig and 43 olive trees between Škabrnja and Zemunik Donji. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Four suspects were detained on suspicion of committing a serious criminal offense against public safety. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Zadar County suspects detained for allegedly starting ten fires Four suspects, including three Croatians and one Polish woman, are in investigative detention for allegedly starting ten fires in Zadar County using lighters. Police also seized firearms. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zadar-arson-suspects-detained-for-causing-ten-fires ### 2026-08-15: Zadar County: Four arrested for arson at 10 locations Four people, including three Croatians and one Polish woman, were arrested for deliberately starting fires at ten locations in Zadar County, Croatia, causing significant damage and prompting a terrorism probe. 55 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegrin-police-charge-man-for-insulting-mp-milan-kneevi-on-facebook ### 2026-08-10: Regional police investigate cybercrime, fraud, and juvenile violence Police in Slovenia, Montenegro, and Croatia are investigating various crimes, including a juvenile gang attack in Rače, a large-scale seizure of digital equipment in Podgorica, and multiple online financial scm 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maribor-police-charge-four-minors-in-rae-robbery-and-assault-case ### 2026-08-09: Crime incidents reported in Serbia and Croatia Recent criminal incidents in the Balkans include a two-hour hostage standoff in Serbia and a controversial police intervention involving a dog in Croatia. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crime-incidents-reported-in-serbia-and-croatia ### 2026-08-06: Criminal incidents reported across the Balkan region Multiple criminal reports across the Balkans and Europe include fatal domestic incidents, drug seizures, prison investigations, and drone security breaches at a German airport. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sexual-assault-allegations-surface-at-splits-bilice-prison --- Cite as: Crime and police activity in the Balkans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/crime-and-police-activity-in-the-balkans