Bogdan Ilić (Baka Prase) defends himself after betting claim, threats and arson

YouTuber Bogdan Ilić, widely known as Baka Prase, has again put himself at the centre of public debate in Serbia after a flurry of social‑media posts in which he defended his political positions and described threats against him.

On election night he revealed that he had placed a bet of €200,000 on the outcome, though he did not specify for which candidate. Screenshots later circulated online suggesting betting records linked his stakes to Aleksandar Vučić, a detail that has not been independently confirmed.

Claims of threats, arson and pressure

Ilić wrote that politics had become a dangerous factor in his life. "Because of politics, in which I did not want to get involved! My car worth €500,000 was set on fire as a warning. I received threats. My life and the lives of people around me were in danger. I had to move other cars so they would not be set on fire. I run 10 security staff because I was told I would be liquidated because of politics! So please, don't look so superficially, because it's not all black and white," he posted.

He also denied any cooperation with Vučić's SNS and called for official inspections of his assets and businesses to settle questions about alleged ties and payments. "I call on all competent authorities to carry out an inspection of my property and my business to finally determine whether I cooperated with the SNS and how much money I took from them. I will reveal in advance: I took zero and acquired everything legally," he wrote.

In addition to the threats and the arson claim, Ilić told followers he might leave Serbia under one condition: if students pass a law banning public advertising of gambling. "If the students pass a law banning public gambling advertising, I'll move. I'll earn money, you understand?" he wrote.

Earlier public comments and appearances have fuelled speculation about his political leanings. Last year, during a livestream, he said: "As for the students, I said: go ahead. Everyone should do what they believe in. I do not protest because, honestly, I don't care. It doesn't change anything for me who will be in power tomorrow. I don't care, honestly." He has also appeared on a live broadcast with Vučić and recorded photos with singer Jelena Karleuša.

When asked earlier this year about a potential political candidacy on Telekast television, Ilić replied: "I don't know. I said that to start an avalanche of comments, which I did."

His recent posts have generated debate online about the role of influencers in politics and whether public figures who largely avoided political statements should now be treated as partisan actors. Ilić's call for inspections aims to counter claims that he benefited financially from ties to the ruling party, while his descriptions of threats and arson raise questions that authorities may be urged to investigate.

Photo: press material from the event