06.11.2026.
Press release
The Ministry of Defence strongly condemns and rejects the slanderous allegations and malicious falsehoods told by former non-commissioned officer Novica Antić in his recent appearance on N1 television regarding the work performed by members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces. It should be noted that Novica Antić was stripped of his rank and dismissed from the Serbian Armed Forces in 2020 following a final judgment issued by the Higher Military Disciplinary Court for a breach of military discipline. In addition, legal proceedings are being taken against him before the Higher Court in Novi Sad for embezzling more than RSD 70 million from the Military Trade Union.
Contrary to Antić’s claims, the Military Security Agency does not have a “bot centre” and has never undertaken special procedures to track or eavesdrop on private communications of students, journalists, or political activists, nor has it interfered in political processes and events in the Republic of Serbia.
Antić is misleading the public by making entirely inaccurate, arbitrary and unsupported allegations concerning the operations of Military Security Agency personnel. The claim he made on N1 television was an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Military Security Agency, the Ministry of Defence, and the Serbian Armed Forces. Such allegations insult the dignity of the people who perform key duties in the defence system, working to keep the country and all its citizens safe.
The Ministry of Defence and the Military Security Agency have made considerable efforts in recent years to secure and retain IT professionals. Members of the Agency working in the IT sector have been selected with great care and according to specific criteria. In addition to their top academic performance, these professionals are characterized by strong moral integrity and patriotism. It is therefore unacceptable for anyone to belittle the expertise of these people with blanket, unverified statements. Military Security Agency members perform their duties professionally and responsibly, fully adhering to the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, the Law on the Serbian Armed Forces, the Law on the Military Security Agency and the Military Intelligence Agency, and other relevant laws.
It is clear that Antić’s groundless allegations are motivated by personal animosity towards the defence system and certain individuals within the Military Security Agency. Moreover, such public statements represent a shameless attempt to exert pressure on the judicial authorities of the Republic of Serbia and secure a political appointment for himself in the upcoming period.
We fiercely condemn Antić’s latest effort to spark public unrest and cause disturbance among defence personnel by spreading lies and disinformation regarding security forces’ operations, solely for the purpose of self-promotion and political gain.
We call upon all public actors, citizens, and media outlets in particular, to refrain from publishing any unverified or false information that could tarnish the reputation of the Ministry of Defence, the Serbian Armed Forces and their personnel, or negatively impact the security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens.
