Former Minister Rada Basta arrested in Serbia
In Serbia, the former Minister of Economy and former director of the State Enterprise Belgrade Power Stations (Belgrade Power Stations) Rada Basta was arrested. He is suspected of causing damage to the company worth tens of millions of dinars.
According to the Tanjog Agency, Basta was arrested early in the morning of November 11 at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. The operation was carried out by the employees of the anti-corruption service on the order of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office of Belgrade.
According to the investigators, during the leadership period of the Belgrade power plants, Basta approved unjustified financial donations to sports clubs and various commercial organizations. Among the recipients of the funds, as RTS clarifies, were small football and basketball clubs, as well as one horse club.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement officials are searching and arresting others who may be involved in the alleged financial irregularities. The exact number of the suspects and the extent of the damage has not yet been disclosed.
Rada Basta headed Belgrade's power plants until his appointment as Serbia's economy minister in October 2022. However, he worked in this role for less than a year and was fired in July 2023.
The cause of the political conflict was Basta's public call to the Serbian government to urgently decide on the introduction of sanctions against Russia in connection with the conflict in Ukraine. This statement caused a sharp reaction from his then United Serbia party, which demanded his release from all party and government positions.
After leaving the government, Basta created his own political movement, the European Way.
Tanjog.
Balkanist.