Serbian police official arrested amid political transition

Serbian authorities arrested Marko Kritsak, the 42-year-old head of the Forensic Investigations Directorate, on November 1, 2026, on charges of abuse of power linked to a homicide investigation. The arrest involved the director of the Anti-Crime Service as well. The incident occurs one week after snap parliamentary elections resulted in a victory for a student-backed coalition, which secured 140 of 250 seats in the National Assembly, ending the long-standing rule of former President Aleksandar Vucic’s nationalist party since 2012. While student groups had previously demanded his resignation citing police brutality during anti-government protests, Belgrade General Prosecutor Nenad Stefanovic denied any connection between the arrest and the recent election results.

The detention coincides with massive public demonstrations in Novi Sad, where thousands gathered to commemorate the 16 victims of a fatal railway station roof collapse. Citizens are demanding transparency and accountability for corruption related to the infrastructure tragedy that occurred two years ago. Kritsak, whose career was widely perceived as closely aligned with Vucic’s political circle, remains in custody as authorities navigate the ongoing political transition and intense public pressure for judicial action.