The Serbian judiciary has initiated a rapid series of legal actions in the wake of a decisive electoral shift that ended the long-standing dominance of the Serbian Progressive Party. This accelerated timeline for arrests and new criminal proceedings has sparked debate over whether the move represents a genuine drive for accountability or an attempt by prosecutors to align with the new political majority.
The momentum in the legal system gained visibility during an unusual aviation incident on November 3. Air Serbia flight JU134, traveling from Belgrade to Moscow, was ordered to return to the capital while over Lithuanian airspace. Among the passengers were three prominent figures from the previous administration: Aleksandar Vulin, former defense and interior minister; Dusan Bajatovic, director of Srbijagas; and Nenad Popovic, a minister without portfolio. Unofficial reports indicated the return was due to a security breach involving Vulin, who had reportedly bypassed mandatory screening.
This event occurred just nine days after the student-backed list secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary election on October 25. That result concluded 14 years of rule by President Aleksandar Vucic and his party, which had maintained close ties with Moscow. Although the new majority has not yet formally assumed control of state levers, the days following the vote have seen a surge in judicial activity that contrasts sharply with the pace of the previous decade.
Prosecutors have launched investigations into suspected electoral manipulation, corruption, and abuse of office. In Novi Sad, four individuals were arrested on suspicion of vote-buying, while six others were detained in Mali Zvornik for allegedly helping Bosnian citizens register residence in Serbia to cast ballots. A particularly high-profile case involves Davor Macura, the owner of Alta Bank. He was arrested on suspicion of illegally accessing the bank's vault to remove assets valued at approximately 383 million euros. Macura’s arrest followed shortly after the National Bank of Serbia revoked the institution's license and initiated bankruptcy proceedings.
Beyond the banking sector, senior police officials, the head of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute, and managers of several public companies have also been detained. The allegations against them include rigged public procurement procedures and various abuses of public office. These moves are part of a broader effort to address cases that were previously unresolved or left dormant during the SNS years in power.
Tanja Arsic, an incoming member of parliament from the Students' List, stated that the current activity proves that when there is a political will to enforce the rule of law, the existing regulations allow for action. She noted that previous obstacles had allowed cases to be shelved. However, Arsic warned that speed must not come at the cost of quality, emphasizing that indictments should not be filed without sufficient evidence to avoid disastrous acquittals.
Concerns remain regarding the integrity of the transition period. Reports and video footage emerged in late October suggesting that official documents may have been removed or destroyed within state institutions. In response, Prosecutor General Zagorka Dolovac issued a binding instruction on October 29 to all chief public prosecutors to prevent the destruction of official records. The Students' List also encouraged employees and media to report any such incidents to prevent abuse by outgoing authorities.
Former President Vucic has publicly stated that he is not afraid of arrest, claiming that no evidence of financial wrongdoing will be found against him because he does not personally sign financial documents. He emphasized that accountability must extend to those who wielded real power and made key decisions, not just those who signed paperwork.
Bojana Savovic, a prosecutor, described the sudden activity as an attempt by the prosecution service to ingratiate itself with the new authorities. She expressed hope that the rapid pace would not lead to personal vendettas or low-quality indictments. Savovic argued that the ultimate measure of success will be final convictions and the permanent confiscation of assets rather than the number of arrests made.
The final test for Serbia’s legal system will occur in the courtroom. The verdicts in these high-profile cases will determine whether the country is genuinely breaking from its previous power structures or simply replacing one set of political brokers with another. Without fundamental changes in the judiciary and security sectors, observers remain skeptical about the possibility of a lasting transformation.
