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Serbia Turns the Tables, Investigates the Investigative Journalists

Milan Nesic

   WASHINGTON - Five years ago, Serbia's Anti-Corruption Agency opened a
   money laundering investigation into Sinisa Mali, who was then mayor of
   the capital, Belgrade.

   The Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK) --a Serbian
   investigative journalism outlet-- had reported on [1]Mali's alleged
   involvementin the purchase of 24 apartments on the Bulgarian Black Sea
   coast in 2012 and 2013. But the mayor denied ownership, claiming his
   signature had been forged. A court ultimately ended up clearing Mali
   based on a lack of evidence.

   Now, it's KRIK's turn.

   The media outlet is among several investigative news organizations and
   reporters being targeted in a probe launched by the Finance Ministry
   and its minister-- Mali, the ex-mayor.

   On July 28, the Anti-Money Laundering Unit-- which falls under the
   Finance Ministry --asked banks to provide transaction details dating
   back to January 2019 on 20 individuals and 37 non-governmental
   organizations as part of a sweeping inquiry into potential money
   laundering or terrorism financing.

References

   1. https://www.occrp.org/mayorsstory/The-Mayors-Hidden-Property/index.html

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