Serbian police have arrested 79 people, including a former minister, on suspicion of corruption that caused more than 100 million euros in losses to the state, said the Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic. EFE.
Five others are in search and seizure, and to 39 more criminal complaints have been filed, Stefanovic said at a press conference in Belgrade.
It is suspected corruption in 20 different cases committed since 2004, reception and supply as bribery, abuse of office, money laundering, public procurement fraud, forgery of official documents and other crimes.
The damage caused to the budget of Serbia, in the province of Vojvodina, City of Belgrade and several companies, ministries and agencies is "7,800 million dinars, equivalent to more than 100 million euros", according to Stefanovic.
Among those arrested, as well as a former minister, are also two former assistants of ministers, community leaders, directors of public companies, businessmen and other officials said Stefanovic, who would not reveal names but only the initials of suspects.
The fight against corruption is one of the important tasks Serbia should fulfill in its rapprochement with the European Union (EU), and is also one of the main promises of the government.
The Balkan country opened on 14th the first chapters of the accession negotiations to the EU club.