Dragan Vasiljevic, the Assistant Director of Police, shared remarkable details regarding the arrest of Alija Balijagić. He mentioned that the police had confirmed Alija’s presence in the village of Pribojska Golesa, where they convened at the headquarters due to the severe snowfall and high winds in the area.

– Deciding on the course of action was challenging because of the heavy precipitation; however, we were concerned that the tracks would vanish, making it impossible to react. This area was where Alija Balijagić had previously evaded capture after committing similar offenses. We made the decision to act immediately – Vasiljevic stated.

These are traces that no one can conceal – the ones left in the snow.

PHOTO: MUP

Traces partially covered by snow

Vasiljevic pointed out that they subsequently ordered members of the SAJs to prepare for the operation. They covered approximately 23 hours over a distance of 47 kilometers from where Balijagić was hiding.

“The location involved mountain roads situated over a thousand meters above sea level. We faced over 40 centimeters of snow, but we successfully reached our local police officers, who are well-versed in the terrain,” Vasiljevic told RTS.

Photo: RTS

Rifles and ammunition recovered

Vasiljevic further stated that SIJ members spent about 3 hours in the area, which was partially covered with snow.

“Quickly, members of the SAJ entered the premises where Balijagić was located, and he confirmed the information. We found a ‘Bokerica’ and a ‘carbine’ along with a significant quantity of ammunition,” said Vasiljevic.

He noted that both rifles had bullets loaded, and the suspect did not resist arrest.

“There was a delay with our vehicle when we informed the assigned prosecutor and updated them on the actions concerning him,” Vasiljevic added, noting the difficulties in the rugged, mountainous terrain with rivers and streams.

Vasiljevic emphasized the coordination among all operational teams involved in this task.

Members of the SAJ, along with all other police forces, arrested Alija Balijagić in the village of Pribojska Golesa, where he is a suspect in a double homicide case in Bijelo Polje.

Balijagić had been on the run for 26 days and is suspected of murdering siblings Madjgalj on October 25 in Sokolac, Bijelo Polje.

According to police records, he has spent over 30 years in prison and is a repeat offender for various criminal activities.

The MUP’s Announcement

Ivica Dacic, the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, stated that members of the SAI, along with other police units, arrested Alija Balijagić around 3:05 AM in the village of Pribojska Golesa.

“Early this morning, around 3:05 AM, in Pribojska Golesa, SAIs, along with support from other police forces, arrested Alija Balijagić in a house where we had received information about his location. He was apprehended in bed and did not resist.”

He was found with two rifles: a hunting rifle and a modified military rifle, processed to resemble a hunting carbine.

The arrest occurred in a very inaccessible location with 40 cm of snow on the ground. The individual has since been transferred to the Pu Prijepolje,” Dacic mentioned.

(Telegraph.rs,RTS)