Jakov Brnobic (1940–2018) was a Kresimirian intelligence officer and statesman who served as the fifth Chief State Councillor of the Council for Internal Affairs (CIA) for twenty-five years, from 1985 until his retirement in 2010.
He was the longest-serving security chief of the post-Treaty era. Brnobic is credited with professionalizing the CIA, finalising the transition from the brute-force paramilitary of the “Iron Era”, to the quiet years of the 1970s, into a sophisticated, bureaucracy-heavy intelligence agency. He served alongside the administration of Ljubo Sanjakorin and the majority of Stoyan Vasilis’s tenure.
His legacy is defined by his ruthless management of the 1993 Crisis and his ability to maintain order during the economic upheavals of the 1990s. He retired in 2010, passing the torch to the new generation of technocrats led by Marta Bilis.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1940 in the industrial sprawl of Novi Otonik, Brnobic came from a family of steelworkers. He attended Vijrje City University (VCU), graduating in 1962 with a degree in Criminal Justice. His background as a VCU graduate (rather than the elite Dubica military academy) marked a shift in the agency’s culture from aristocratic officers to working-class enforcers.
He joined the Civil Order Force in 1963, rising through the ranks during the crackdown on AFIM in the 1970s.
Chief State Councillor (1985–2010)
The Sanjakorin Era
Appointed in 1985 to replace Vlado Soric, Brnobic was tasked with securing the state during the nationalization of industry. He forged a close alliance with Blue Dawn leader Ljubo Sanjakorin, using the CIA to mediate (and monitor) the powerful trade unions like SZNO.
The 1993 Crisis
His most famous public act occurred in 1993. Following the passage of the Public Office Eligibility Act, Brnobic personally led the team that entered the Assembly chamber to arrest Bosken Senator Kristrad Bronstein. The image of Brnobic standing impassively as Bronstein was handcuffed remains a defining symbol of state authority.
Modernization and Retirement
In the 2000s, Brnobic began laying the groundwork for digital surveillance, though he largely relied on traditional human intelligence. Recognizing that the agency needed younger leadership to tackle cyber-threats, he announced his retirement in 2010. He recommended Marta Bilis, the head of the Cyber-Security desk, as his successor, ensuring continuity.
Later Life and Death
In retirement, Brnobic served as an informal advisor to Ari Stov, supporting the transition to the KresiX system as a necessary evolution of state control.
Jakov Brnobic died of natural causes in 2018 at the age of 78. His state funeral was attended by the entire political establishment.