The Government’s Appeals Commission has denied the appeal of police officer Tamara Veljović against her recent suspension due to a serious breach of official duty, according to Vijesti.

Sources indicate that Veljović, wife of former Police Directorate director Veselin Veljović, filed her appeal through attorney Mihailo Volkov, contesting the decision made by Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović that led to her suspension from the Ministry of Interior, specifically the Police Directorate.

On April 28, Šaranović announced a temporary suspension for the employee of the Department for Support to Police Organizational Units, Police Work Improvement, and Analytics. This action was taken as disciplinary proceedings were initiated against her for a serious breach of official duty under Article 173, paragraph 1, item 28 of the Law on Internal Affairs, citing security obstacles to her continued work.

According to unofficial reports from Vijesti, Veljović claimed in her appeal that the suspension decision was arbitrary, that the reasons provided were vague, her right to a defense was compromised, and that she remains unaware of the specific issues regarding her case.

Vijesti also learned that the Commission found Veljović’s claims about not knowing the dispute’s details did not warrant a different outcome, as she would still have the opportunity to actively engage in the disciplinary proceedings against her.

“The Appeals Commission believes that the key factor is whether the first-instance body’s needs necessitated the temporary suspension of the appellant as a preventive measure to safeguard the employer’s interests. The first-instance body asserted in its Decision that a police officer must exhibit the highest standards of honor and integrity. Thus, the ability of someone identified with security issues to fulfill their duties legitimately raises concerns. Having such an individual with security barriers present would likely demotivate other employees and jeopardize the legality of the body’s operations. The Commission determined that these considerations are adequate and justifiable under Article 176, paragraph 2 of the Law on Internal Affairs – ‘A police officer may be temporarily suspended even when criminal proceedings are underway or disciplinary actions for a serious breach have commenced if their presence could harm the interests or reputation of the Ministry and Police or impede the progression of disciplinary procedures.’ After reviewing necessary documentation from the initiated disciplinary proceedings, the Commission concluded that the appeal decision followed proper legal procedure and appropriately applied substantive law without infringing on the appellant’s rights,” explained a source to Vijesti.

Tamara Veljović has held various roles in the security sector, and her first suspension occurred in early 2025 due to disciplinary actions. After a recent reversal of that suspension by the Commission, she faced another suspension at the end of April.

Her employment began on December 14, 2010, with her hiring decision signed by her husband, Police Director Veselin Veljović.

Within a year, she was transferred to the National Central Bureau of Interpol as an independent police commissioner-analyst for a six-month period. Her initial assignment ended on February 28, 2012, with her employment concluding by mutual consent.

She was later re-hired on December 5, 2013, for an indefinite term as a junior police inspector in the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SAJ) after successfully competing in a public competition, with her re-employment decision signed by then-director Slavko Stojanović.

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