A group of 146 security sector veterans and officials, including former heads of the Security Intelligence Agency (BIA), the national police, and the Military Intelligence Agency (VBA), issued a joint call to their colleagues in the police and security forces, urging them to remain faithful to the Constitution, the law, and their professional duty during this period of deep political crisis.
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The signatories of the appeal include former BIA Director Sasa Vukadinovic, former Police Director Vladimir Rebic, former Special Antiterrorist Unit (SAJ) Commander Spasoje Vulevic, former VBA Director Momir Stojanovic, former Belgrade Police Chief Milan Obradovic, and former Internal Affairs Ministry Internal Control Sector Chief Milos Oparnica, alongside numerous active and retired police officers, inspectors, and military officials.
“Our legal obligation is to protect citizens and serve the state, not political parties or individuals. No political interest, directive from a superior, or government pressure can ever justify breaking the law. Every individual bears personal responsibility for their actions, as well as for deliberate inaction when they are duty-bound to prevent or penalize unlawful acts. Official positions and powers are not an excuse for abuse, but an obligation to act in the public interest,” the appeal states.
They emphasized that free and fair elections are impossible without institutions that protect the electoral will of the citizens, rather than the interests of those fighting to stay in power.
“On election day, your duty is to prevent violence, voter intimidation, and electoral fraud. After the polls close, you are required to protect the integrity of the voting process, ensure that results are established lawfully, and respond to any attempt to illegally alter them. In the event of post-election tensions, you must act impartially, prevent violence, and safeguard the citizens’ right to peaceful assembly. The law must apply equally to everyone, regardless of political affiliation. The institutions you are part of must not become tools for retaining power at all costs, or instruments for settling scores with political opponents,” the appeal reads.
The statement adds that in the days ahead, not only will institutional professionalism be put to the test, but also the personal integrity of the individuals working within them.
“Each of you must decide whether to act in accordance with the law and your own conscience, or to allow political pressure to lead you to violate your duty. Serbia must emerge from this crisis through peaceful and democratic means. Responsibility for this lies not only with political actors, but with everyone who holds the authority and power to enforce the law, protect citizens, and prevent the abuse of public institutions,” they said.
The signatories also stated their support for the initiatives led by CEPRIS (the Center for Judicial Research) and Defense of the Profession (Odbrana Struke, informal group comprising judges and prosecutors), which call on prosecutors and judges to recognize the weight of their professional responsibilities at this decisive moment, ahead of what are likely the most significant elections in Serbia since the restoration of the multi-party system.
“The history of political crises shows that institutions can either be the final bulwark against tyranny, or its most powerful instrument. The choice rests entirely with the people working within them.
“We call on each and every one of you to make that choice in favor of the Constitution, the law, and the citizens you have sworn to serve,” the authors said.
The appeal was initiated by the Integrity Network of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCBP).
Teme