Novica Antic Arrested Over X Post on Military Drill
The former head of the Military Union of Serbia can be held for up to 48 hours on orders from the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade over claims about a military drill on X.
Novica Antic, the former president of the Military Union of Serbia, has been arrested on the order of the Special Department for High-Tech Crime of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade. He is suspected of causing panic and unrest, over a post on X about a military drill, made a few days before the elections. The prosecutor’s statement came out in the evening, and Antic was ordered held for up to 48 hours.
What does the prosecutor’s office say in its statement?
According to the statement, there are grounds to suspect that Antic posted false claims on X on October 15, 2026 about a drill of the Serbian Army and insinuated that a coup was being prepared. The statement identifies the suspect only by the initials N.A. The part quoted does not specify which claim in the post is untrue.
The prosecutors also reproduce parts of the post itself. Antic addressed the Chief of the General Staff and Prime Minister Brnabic, asking them to explain to the public why Serbian Army units, as he wrote, “a few days before the elections, in a period not scheduled for training, are rehearsing tactical actions for combat in a built-up area, and at night.” He ended the post with a line the prosecutors quote word for word:
“I went through this in August and September of 2000. Smells like a coup?”
The prosecutors read that question in their statement as an insinuation that a coup is being prepared.
How did the arrest happen?
According to media reports, officers of the Criminal Police Directorate arrested Antic at the family home in Kragujevac. His brother, Vaso Antic, confirmed the arrest to the daily Danas, saying a search of the house was under way and that Novica would then be taken to Belgrade. Vaso Antic did not know the exact reason for the arrest and, in his view, it is yet another attempt at intimidation and repression.
Antic will be brought in for questioning at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade. The time of the questioning has not been announced.
Not his first arrest
Last year Antic was arrested on the eve of the student protest on Vidovdan, when he was charged with preparing an offense against the constitutional order and security of Serbia.
For now this is only a suspicion. Antic is accused of causing panic and unrest, and guilt has not been established.
