Security Intelligence Agency
| Безбедносно-информативна агенција (БИА) Bezbednosno-informativna agencija (BIA) | |
 Emblem of the BIA | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 August 2002 |
| Preceding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | Serbia |
| Headquarters | Kraljice Ane Street, Belgrade, Serbia |
| Employees | 1,953 (2011)[1] |
| Annual budget | $53.53 million (2018, planned)[2] |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | www |
The Security Intelligence Agency (Serbian: Безбедносно-информативна агенција / Bezbednosno-informativna agencija; abbr. BIA) is a national intelligence agency of Serbia. The agency is responsible for collecting, reporting and disseminating intelligence, and conducting counter-intelligence in the interest of Serbia's national security.[3]
History
The Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) was formed on 1 August 2002 as the successor of State Security Service (SDB), which existed from 1991 to 2002.[4]
2017–present
In May 2017, Bratislav Gašić, close associate of elected President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, was appointed as the head of the Security Intelligence Agency.[5] Following his appointment, Gašić suspended his party activities.[6]
In August 2017, an amendments to the Law on the Security and Information Agency, which strengthen the authorities of the agency's director, have arrived in the Serbian Parliament for adoption.[7] This move was condemned by several officials including the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance Rodoljub Šabić and former co-Minister of Internal Affairs of Serbia Božo Prelević.[8] They have stated that these amendments are unconstitutional and thus way creating a platform for "party's intelligence agency" (Serbian Progressive Party), aimed at the opposition and "domestic traitors" who disagree with the ruling regime.[8][9]
Directors
- Andreja Savić (1 August 2002 – 24 January 2003) (acting)
- Miša Milićević (25 January 2003 – 6 March 2004)
- Rade Bulatović (6 March 2004 – 17 July 2008)
- Saša Vukadinović (17 July 2008 – 3 August 2012)
- Nebojša Rodić (3 August 2012 – 3 September 2013)
- Dragan Marković (3 September 2013 – 25 October 2013) (acting)
- Aleksandar Đorđević (25 October 2013 – 23 May 2017)
- Bratislav Gašić (23 May 2017 – present)
See also
- Military Intelligence Agency (VOA)
- Military Security Agency (VBA)
- Intelligence and Reconnaissance Directorate
References
- ^ "U BIA radi oko 2.000 bezbednjaka". b92.net (in Serbian). 14 April 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ "ZAKON O BUDŽETU REPUBLIKE SRBIJE ZA 2018. GODINU". paragraf.rs (in Serbian). Službeni glasnik RS. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "About Agency / Security Information Agency". www.bia.gov.rs.
- ^ "Period between 1945 and 2002 / History / Security Information Agency". www.bia.gov.rs.
- ^ Zivanovic, Maja (22 May 2017). "Sacked Minister To Head Serbian Security Agency". balkaninsight.com. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Gašić zamrznuo stranačke funkcije zbog direktorskog mesta u BIA". Blic.rs (in Serbian). 23 May 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ "Zakon koji jača ovlašćenja direktora BIA stigao u Skupštinu". n1info.com (in Serbian). Tanjug. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Šabić: Izmene Zakona o BIA u suprotnosti sa Ustavom". n1info.com (in Serbian). Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- ^ Nikolić, Maja (31 August 2017). "Prelević o BIA: Fokus će biti na unutrašnjem neprijatelju". n1info.com (in Serbian). Retrieved 3 September 2017.