Original article (in Serbian) was published on 28/10/2025; Author: Stefan Janjić
The video recording from the Novi Sad branch of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG) — allegedly proving claims of an attempted coup d’état on March 15 — was not made by a “mole from within the conspirators’ ranks,” but by Serbia’s Security and Intelligence Agency (BIA). What had been suspected for months has now been officially confirmed, thanks to Insajder. The newsroom, invoking the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance, discovered that BIA had wiretapped the premises of the Movement of Free Citizens in Novi Sad for three and a half months. The controversial video that now serves as key evidence in the indictment was obtained through that surveillance.
Vučićević’s “hooks” story
The secret recording of the meeting held on March 12, ahead of the “15 for 15” protest, in the PSG offices in downtown Novi Sad, was broadcast the following day as a joint production of five TV channels: Pink, Happy, Prva, Informer, and Studio B.
Speaking about the source of the recording, Informer’s owner, Dragan J. Vučićević, claimed that the audio file had been provided by one of the activists. When asked why the activist had given him the recording, Vučićević replied:
“Because the man doesn’t want to take part in starting a civil war. He said, ‘I won’t and I can’t take part in that.’ I know who he is, but of course I won’t reveal his identity, not even if they hang me on hooks.”
From today’s perspective, it is clear that Vučićević fabricated not only the “mole,” but also the dramatic story surrounding him.
The disinformation echoed through dozens of media outlets
That same evening, March 13, the disinformation began spreading through pro-government media. The next morning, Pink TV host Jovana Jeremić stated on air that the Novi Sad activists “couldn’t even imagine that one of the people there had actually recorded everything and handed it over to the public.” Nebojša Obrknežev from the Center for Social Stability appeared on TV Informer and thanked the fictional whistleblower:
“What matters is that this came out. Kudos to the man who provided everything.”
Member of Parliament Nebojša Bakarec joined in spreading the false story in his Informer column, writing:
“One of the participants in that meeting secretly recorded his colleagues, the conspirators, and handed the evidence of the planned coup to the media. The recording is authentic, as confirmed by both BIA and the Ministry of the Interior!”
The false information was published by numerous newspapers (Politika, Kurir, Informer), TV stations (B92, Pink), and online outlets including NS uživo, B92.net, Pink.rs, TV Pančevo, Sremske vesti, Srbija danas, Glas javnosti, Večernje novosti, Novosadska TV, Vojvodina uživo, Kurir.rs, Volim Podgoricu, TV K1, 24sedam, Informer.rs, Alo, Objektiv, Republika, Udarna vest, Afera, Lajk, Altervista, and Borba.me.
Insajder: The recording appears to have been made by accident
In its article, Insajder reports that “the indictment suggests that BIA did not intentionally surveil the 12 activists now charged with multiple offenses against the constitutional order, but only one individual.” Since that individual was not among the twelve people present at the meeting, it follows that the recording was made accidentally.
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad reacted swiftly after the broadcast of the recording, issuing a statement on March 14 announcing that it had “requested the Criminal Police Directorate to collect all relevant information and evidence in order to determine all facts and circumstances of the event.”
The prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad sought a five-year prison sentence for all suspects, charging them with several alleged crimes, including “preparing acts against the constitutional order and security.” Six activists were soon arrested. After months spent in detention and house arrest, they are currently defending themselves while at liberty, whereas another six activists remain abroad, with arrest warrants issued against them.
