The Serbian authorities (City of Belgrade Police Directorate) in collaboration with Europol have arrested a dangerous contract killer hired by a criminal organisation to carry out a revenge plot. 

The individual was identified after Europol provided crucial intelligence, developed through its ongoing work in analysing encrypted communication platforms frequently used by organised crime groups.

The plot was orchestrated by the head of an organised crime group, who played a key role in recruiting the contract killer and coordinating the logistics of the assassination. The leader of the criminal group organised the killer's escape plan, recruited two additional suspects to conduct surveillance on the intended victim, and procured the weapon used for the assassination, which was brought into Serbia specifically for the attack.

The victim was killed in Belgrade in 2021. The shooter, who pretended to be an elderly man wearing a silicone mask and walking with a limp, shot the victim in the head as he passed him by.

The contract killer was arrested as a result of the action day, together with the organiser and the two accomplices.

Europol’s role

Europol’s involvement in the operation focused on intelligence development and operational support. Its experts worked with the Serbian authorities to decode the suspect’s communications, providing intelligence that led to his identification. Serbian police officers were deployed to Europol’s headquarters in The Hague for this purpose.
On the day of the action, Europol deployed a specialised team to Belgrade to assist the national authorities with their enforcement action.   

The European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) tackles the most important threats posed by organised and serious international crime affecting the EU. EMPACT strengthens intelligence, strategic and operational cooperation between national authorities, EU institutions and bodies, and international partners. EMPACT runs in four-year cycles focusing on common EU crime priorities.