Chicago In Belgrade

Gangsters' shootouts have became a familiar sight. Many famous members of the Belgrade underground have been killed over the last three year, often in a spectacular way: Branislav MaticBeli was gunned down in front of his house, Iso LeroDzamba disappeared after the fight in a casino, Aleksandar KnezevicKnele was killed in the room of the Hyatt Hotel, George StankovicZorz got a ``bullet'' in the back in broad daylight, Radojica Nikcevic was killed with a high caliber weapon on his way to work... None of these murders has been solved yet. Meanwhile a number of attempted murders have been reported. Goran Vukcevic currently holds the record since he survived four attempted assassinations over the past year. The whole battalion of less famous criminals lost their lives in the streets, cafes and casinos of Belgrade. Apart from guns and machine guns, hand grenades and LAW's were also used. Moreover, explosive devices are ever frequently being planted in cafes, restaurants and cars. Ritual murders have not been noted yeta bullet in the back or a bomb in the cafe represents a clear warning. Extreme brutality is noted mainly during the extortion of debts (the debtor is forced to watch the rape of his wife, for example) and breakins. According to unofficial reports, in Smederevo a group of burglars subjected an elderly man to torture in order to find out where he hides the money. They cut off his ear, broke his leg and eventually killed him. All they found in the flat was 130 DM.

The Racket

The number of those forced to pay for the unwanted protection has never been released to the public in Serbia. The police are not willing to talk about this issue claiming that these are only isolated case. However, it is well known that many private entrepreneurs, especially those who own a cafe at an attractive location, have a hard time with the ``racketeers.'' Cafes are often blown up (like the ``As'' Cafe), and the analysts believe that the groups of gangsters are currently waging the war over the territory they will control in the future. Even money dealers in the streets could not avoid them. The police is also involved in racketeering. Milivoje Dukic, the leader of the quick reaction force of the Belgrade police, was arrested at the end of May for collecting 500 DM from Sredoje Sljukic Sljuka, who has the lease on ``Tas klub'' (the fitness center in Belgrade). In the meantime Sljukic was arrested as well after he reported himself to the police. It is assumed he thought he would be much safer in prison than in the streets where he currently wages the war with another competitor.

Public Fear

The citizens of Belgrade feel neither comfortable nor safe, but have not began panicking yet. They maintain a normal life style, they work and go out, but it has been noticed that the occupants of those building where the main gate is locked at night have become more disciplined. Most of those who own expensive cars installed an alarm system, and in some places (like New Belgrade) the occupants of big apartment blocks have posted guards in the parking lots and in the corridors. It is interesting that the clientele of once notorious restaurants in the suburbs has changed. Instead of the local strongmen, it is the decent people from the neighborhood who get together there now. Paradoxically, the most dangerous are expensive and exclusive night clubs, where the gangsters often settle their scores, so that stray bullets often hit innocent visitors.

The Crime Rate

Although the crime rate in Serbia is still relatively low, the constant rise of major criminal offenses represents a clear denial of police reports according the which the situation in the country becoming more quiet. There were 27 murders in Belgrade in 1990, 65 in 1991, 72 in 1992, over 90 last year (according to unofficial data), while only last month 14 people were killed when the mafia settled its accounts. Vandalism, robbery, and other criminal acts followed by violence are on the rise. And when the warriors return from the front...

The Laws

The federal criminal code is in collision with the federal Constitution, and there are grave discrepancies between the federal and the republic legislation, even when it comes to such serious items as the capital punishment. On the other hand, the judges are increasingly abandoning their positions and starting again as attorneys, so that the pessimists predict that soon there will be no one to enforce the laws. Experts have been pointing out for years that the criminal legislation ought to be changed, and warnings could be heard at the recently held conventions of criminologists in Budva. If someone only took heed of them.

The Parastate Service

The domestic criminals are pleased to offer and do favors for the state, which the state pays them back handsomely. The Yugoslav criminals abroad used to perform dirty tasks ``of the special interest for the state'' for the State Security Service. Later the domestic gangsters were to join the war (on all sides), and everybody benefited from this sort of ``cooperation'': the state obtained the warriors who shunned nothing, and the criminals got the opportunity to loot and rob to their hearts' content. At the moment the statemafia coproduction is most obvious when it comes to oil deals. there is a mention of drugs and arms deals but there is no evidence.

The Declaration of War

``The Week of the Fight against Crime'' has turned into the whole year. That is how much time has passed since Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic announced a campaign to put an end to crime. Its results are reflected only in the official police figures according to which the number of criminal acts has been reduced (not to mention the nature of these crimes), while ordinary citizens can feel the change, but for the worse. Serbia thus appeals to the international criminals, for example, Giovani di Stefano, the AngloItalian businessman of dubious past and unclear intentions received Yugoslav citizenship, without a problem.

Bandits in Power

The underground joined in the political life immediately after the forming of political parties in the country. At the very beginning paramilitary formations, armies sponsored by various parties, and volunteer units could not be imagined without prominent ``tough guys'' from Belgrade. By taking part in the antiopposition actions (like breaking up of the demonstrations on Terazije Square in Belgrade, March 1992) the Belgrade criminals were paying back their debts to the authorities. The debts only they knew about. Zeljko RaznatovicArkan managed to make a significant political career. He sat in the Serbian Parliament as the leader of the fivemember group of citizens from Kosovo for the whole year. He later founded the Party of Serbian Unity, that failed in the elections in December 1993. But, he is definitely more powerful financially than politically.

Besides Arkan, Radojica Nikcevic, the director of the housing cooperative ``Sumadija'' had the best political, industrial, financial, sporting and intelligence connections. It would be difficult to say that Nikcevic belonged to the underground, but the list of his ``morally and legally tainted'' friends is long enough to arouse suspicion. Nikcevic was murdered and the above mentioned Giovani di Stefano took over all his business deals.

The Police

There is a growing impression that the police is looking at the boom of the crime with indifference without any intention to react decisively. Judging by rare statements of police officials, there is no organized crime in Serbia, nor will there be any in the near future. However, the developments in the streets point to a different conclusion. On the other hand, the rumors have it that the police and the mafia are working together, but it is not clear whether the police is using the tactics of turning a blind eye to what some criminals have done and are currently doing in order to take an absolute control of the underground, or if it is the frightening scenario of the mafia's infiltration in all institutions of the system, including the police. In any case, the line is thin.

The Special Status

Some privileged gangsters and crooks enjoy incredible support of the politicians, the police and the media. Radmilo Bogdanovic, a famous parliament member of the ruling party and one of the most powerful people in the country, used to have very good relations with Zeljko Raznatovic Arkanthe kisses that the Serbian Interior Minister and one of the most famous robbers in Europe exchanged was taken as a warning to all who have a dream about democracy and the rule of law. This took place during the celebration organized by ``Crvena zvezda,'' and the officials of the most popular and affluent football club in the country did not try to hide their cooperation with Arkan, who was in charge of the ``moral and political'' education of the team's fans having previously assumed the role of their leader.

Talking about kisses, one should not forget, that the entire industrial and political elite until recently drooled at the sight of famous ``parabanker'' Dafina Milanovic. Apart from being an expression of their friendship and affinity, the kisses may have also been the confirmation of successfully accomplished deals, whose nature and proportions fall into the domain of speculation. The connection between the authorities and the suspicious businessmen is seen most clearly in the deals concerning oil imports that flourished after the international community imposed sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro. Two exministers in the government of Radovan Bozovic, Sava Vlajkovic and Velimir Mihajlovic, were charged on suspicion of having enabled the furniture factory ``Jugodrvo'' to import oil and benefiting 2 million DM from deals. The fact that no one has recently been held responsible for the schemes linked to the imports of oil indicates that the ``oil tycoons'' and their patrons have either become more careful or that the amount of money (and risk) in this business is sufficient to silence all voices. The only exception is Radisa Adamovic, who was killed on the border when he tried to smuggle 1,000 liters of fuel. But, the tank trucks pass without any problems.

Celebrities

Judging by the articles in the domestic press, there are almost no brutal criminals here, each of them is ``a local version of Robin Hood.'' When the gangsters return from the looting bouts in BosniaHerzegovina, they immediately become ``liberators,'' ``defenders,'' ``greatest Serbian sons,...'' The criminals are especially proud when some people from the local show business find themselves in their camarilla, and the latter don't mind either.

Glory

Gold chains and bracelets represent an obligatory part of their expensive outfits, which are most often than not a proof of their bad taste. Late Knele drove a Porshe, as Sljuka does. Jeeps are also popular especially among Arkan's men. During the preelectoral debate with Vojislav Seselj, the leader of the Serbian Radical Party (SPS), their boss (Arkan) boasted he would build two more floors as an addition to his house in Dedinje, the elite area of Belgrade. Who dares stop him.

Funerals

Since mid eighties' the funerals of famous Belgrade criminals have become an important segment of the social life. Everything begins with the obituary notices that cover the whole page in the Belgrade daily ``Politika.'' When Knele was killed, the entire legion of ``brothers'' and ``friends'' extended their last greetings to him, and the funeral was attended by all those who care to be held in high esteem by the Belgrade underground. If someone happens to be absent, it must be with a good reason, since the police does not miss such funerals.