The acting director of the Police, Lazar Šćepanović, has instructed the Chief of the Regional Security Center “North” to commence appropriate measures against 10 police officers regarding suspicions of their failure to implement required actions in the case involving the alleged double murder by Alija Balijagić.

– The primary focus was on an extensive evaluation of the Internal Police Department and the Directorate of Security Financial Affairs, as mandated by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Danilo Šaranović, concerning the conduct of police officers leading up to the double murder allegedly committed by Alija Balijagić – Sćepanović stated, adding:

– Following this thorough evaluation, and in light of their insufficient actions, I have directed the Security Center “North” to initiate appropriate procedures against 10 police officers, including three senior individuals, who are suspected of not fulfilling their mandatory responsibilities as outlined by the Law on Internal Affairs.

Disciplinary actions have been initiated against these 10 police officers, and I have additionally instructed the Internal Control Department of the Police and the Civil Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje to determine whether the actions of the police officers constitute elements of a criminal offense that requires ex officio prosecution.

– Simultaneously, I have referred this matter to the Prosecutorial Council of Montenegro at the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje, which is currently conducting investigations into the serious theft in Sokolac, where the firearm suspected to have been used in the double murder was involved – he emphasized.

A decision has been made regarding personnel changes in the North Regional Center to enhance operational responsiveness, proactivity, and readiness, ensuring that police officers are capable of addressing all security challenges, with a primary focus on safeguarding citizens’ personal and property security and implementing actions directed at combating serious and organized crime.

– In this context, to strengthen human resources, personnel changes have been made, which include the removal of the previous criminal police officer and Deputy Police Commander, along with the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against them, six uniformed police officers, and one criminal police inspector. Dalibor Marković, the former head of the Security Crime Unit, has been reassigned as the Chief of Crime, and Srdjan Scekic has been appointed as the new police commander, as pointed out by Sćepanović.

Additionally, to bolster security at the Berane Registration Center, Željko Babović, who was serving as the Commander of Criminal Police in the Berane Section, has been reassigned, while Marjan Babović, a former member of the Internal Control Department of Police, has taken over as the head of the security department in Berane.

Concurrently, personnel changes were implemented in Kolašin and Mojkovac regarding positions within the police station command, and additional personnel adjustments will be made within the Border Police Regional Center “North.”

The Police Directorate reiterates that following the incident in Bijelo Polje in the Balijagić case, the Minister of the Interior has ordered an internal review, and the findings will ascertain accountability for any possible oversights.

The Police Directorate remains a steadfast ally of all citizens, committed to enhancing the rule of law, ensuring public order, and adequately addressing security challenges, with a specific emphasis on cooperation and community relations to foster a safe and stable environment for everyone.

(Telegarf.rs)