Former Economy Minister Rade Basta is suspected of abusing his office while running a Belgrade power utility company by approving unjustified donations to various sports associations.
Former Serbian Economy
Minister Rade Basta. Photo: Serbian Economy
Ministry.
Former Economy Minister Rade Basta was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of defrauding public utility company Beogradske Elektrane (Belgrade Powerplants) of around 120,000 euros during his tenure as its director, the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade confirmed.
It is claimed that the money was improperly channeled to various sports clubs and associations while he headed Beogradske Elektrane from 2020 to 2022. Basta has not commented publicly on the allegations so far.
Basta was Serbia’s Economy Minister in the government
Basta was Serbia’s Economy Minister in the government led by Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party from 2022 to 2023. He was dismissed after calling on the government to impose sanctions on Russia because of “its aggression against Ukraine”. He subsequently founded the European Way movement.
He had been appointed minister as a member of United Serbia, a party that subsequently demanded his removal from all positions to which it had nominated him following his remarks on Russia.
Basta recently applauded the Serbian Progressive Party’s defeat in last month’s parliamentary elections. He told Serbian Times that he has long believed that “the moment would come when citizens would no longer accept a policy of fear, pressure and control over institutions”.
According to the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office,
According to the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office, the other suspects in the case against Basta include the executive director of Beogradske Elektrane and legal representatives of various sports clubs to which the money was allegedly channelled.
The prosecutor’s office said Basta was charged with abuse of his official position while the Beogradske Elektrane director was charged with abuse of official position in aiding and abetting the offence. The other suspects were charged with money laundering.
“The suspects will be held in custody for up to 48 hours, during which time they will be brought in for questioning,” the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office said.
Source: balkaninsight.com
