Serbia Purges Police and Bank Leaders After Student List Victory

The political shift in Serbia has triggered a rapid sweep through law enforcement and financial institutions.

Marko Kricak, the head of the Criminal Police Directorate, and Bosko Sekulovic, a commander focused on organized crime, were arrested on November 1. Prosecutors accuse the two officers of abusing their positions during an investigation into a complex murder case that began in May. That case initially involved Veselin Milic, the former police chief of Belgrade. Kricak had received decorations from former leader Aleksandar Vucic and faced prior allegations of brutality against anti-government protesters. Prosecutors stated that Kricak's arrest has no connection to the Student List election win on October 25.

Davor Macura, the owner of Alta Bank, was arrested in Belgrade on November 2 to face questioning by the Organized Crime Prosecutor's office. The National Bank of Serbia revoked Alta's license on October 30, citing a severe decline in the bank's financial condition. Alta Bank served several major state-owned companies and Russian-linked entities. The parent company, which was investigated by the European Central Bank for suspected money laundering, told journalists that the probe closed in 2025 without finding wrongdoing by Alta Group or its companies.

The Jovina High School in Novi Sad lost its principal, Radivoje P. Stojkovic, who was arrested on October 28. Stojkovic was held after refusing to comply with a court order to allow four suspended teachers back to work. The school, which serves more than 1,000 students, suspended the teachers in May for allegedly manipulating underage students into calling for street protests. Stojkovic was a known supporter of Vucic, who defended him during the suspension scandal.

Public spaces and media outlets are also undergoing changes. The pro-government encampment in Pioneers' Park, which stood beside the Parliament building since March 2025, was dismantled immediately after the election results. The park has reopened to the public. Ksenija, a local resident, described the cleanup process as "cleaning and crying." In the media sector, RTS Director Manja Grcic resigned on October 28 after dismissing the news department head. RTS apologized to viewers for omitted content. At RTV Vojvodina, General Manager Goran Karadzic resigned on October 26, and editor-in-chief Nenad Cacic resigned on October 30. The broadcaster apologized for not performing its function for many years.

The Exit festival announced it will return to its founding city of Novi Sad in 2027. The organization posted on Instagram, where the message received over 100,000 reactions, promising an event in July 2027 to celebrate freedom, unity, and love. A full-scale festival is planned for the following year. Exit left Serbia in 2025, citing undemocratic pressures and sponsor links to the student protest movement.

These developments occur as Serbia transitions from the leadership of Aleksandar Vucic, who held power for more than a decade, to the new government formed by the Student List.