Organised crime and the authoritarian regimes in Serbia 1990-2000 and after 2012

Serbian society underwent far-reaching criminalisation during the wars of Yugoslav Succession 1991-99. Under UN sanctions, the informal economy provided survival for both the Milošević regime and an impoverished population. Top smugglers became part of the economic elite. The Milošević regime used organised criminal groups to compensate for unsuccessful conscription to the regular army, and also as a means to liquidate its enemies. However, some criminals helped the opposition overthrow the regime. Therefore, the Đinđić government that took over after Milošević was dependent on organised crime. When Đinđić tried to fight it, he was assassinated. In the aftermath of Đinđić’s death, the “Sabre” action against organised crime was relatively efficient. Conversely, since 2012 organised crime has arguably become gradually inseparable from the authoritarian regime. The first branch of organized crime is related to the drug trade and the football fan tribes led by drug dealers closely connected to the regime; the second one is connected to the weapon trade, which includes some funders of the ruling party; the third one is related to the gang leaders, who control the northern part of Kosovo on behalf of the regime. The organised crime leaders are allowed to engage in massive money laundering and protection rackets. Nationalism and alleged economic progress are used to legitimise illicit activities. The regime relies on widespread corruption, clientelism and organised crime. Therefore, Serbia is a captured state and a thoroughly criminalised society.