The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje has initiated proceedings against six police officers for the offenses of “failure to provide assistance” and “negligent performance of duty” connected to the case of Alija Balijagić.

Balijagić, who is implicated in the double murder of Jovan and Milenka Madžgalj in Sokolac near Bijelo Polje, was apprehended on November 21 in Priboj, Serbia, after nearly a month of evasion. During his arrest, officers found two rifles in his possession, later discovering a third as well.

Lazar Šćepanović, Acting Director of the Police Administration, revealed last week that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against ten officers, which includes three senior officials from the Regional Security Center “North,” due to their inadequate handling of Balijagić’s case.

The Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje confirmed that investigations are ongoing. In addition to charges against the six police officers, they are also pursuing a case against Alija Balijagić and another individual for aggravated theft related to the theft of rifles from the Bulatović family home in Bijelo Polje.

The case against the police officers was prompted by a criminal complaint lodged by the victims’ family in November against the head of the “North” Police Regional Center and the managers of the Bijelo Polje Security Department. They allege that their unprofessional conduct allowed the criminal act that harmed the deceased.

Citizens of the Vraneška Valley have persistently blocked the main road to Podgorica and Pljevlja in Slijepač, demanding collective accountability and the dismissal of police leadership due to failures in apprehending Balijagić.

The Higher Court in Užice, Serbia, has reaffirmed that the conditions for extraditing Balijagić, a suspect in the double murder case from Bijelo Polje, have been satisfied.

Following an appeal from Balijagić’s defense, the court files have been forwarded to the Court of Appeal in Kragujevac. If the appeal is rejected and the court’s previous ruling upheld, the case will be referred to the Ministry of Justice for a final decision on extradition, as confirmed by the Higher Court in Užice.

The Higher Court in Užice has also confirmed the indictment against Balijagić for weapon possession and aggravated theft near Priboj.

Velibor Madžgalj, brother of the deceased Jovan and Milenka, expressed his frustration to “Vijesti” over the fact that during the recent police restructuring in Bijelo Polje, the head of the Regional Center North, Haris Đurđević, was not dismissed, as he believes Đurđević is primarily responsible for the failures encountered in the murder investigation.

“He is culpable for his inaction. A leader cannot claim ignorance of his family’s operations,” Madžgalj asserted, adding that Đurđević has not even reached out to them in person.

He mentioned that he has recently met with several key officials, including Minister of Justice Bojan Božović, Acting Director of the Police Administration Lazar Šćepanović, and Minister of Internal Affairs Danilo Šaranović to discuss the situation in detail.

Šćepanović previously contacted the Prosecutorial Council of Montenegro, urging them to evaluate the actions of the acting state prosecutor at the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje, who oversaw the investigative measures regarding the aggravated theft that involved a firearm suspected to have been used in the double murder.

Madžgalj indicated that he will await the determination from the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje before deciding on further protests, which will likely continue in front of the Bijelo Polje Security Center until Haris Đurđević is removed from his position.

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