Serbia's Anti-Corruption Agency chief sacked

BELGRADE -- The Board of the Anti-Corruption Agency on Friday decided to relieve the agency's director, Zorana Marković, of her duties.

Zorana Marković (Medija Centar, file)

The reason stated was Marković's actions that were harmful to the reputation of the anti-corruption body.

Board President Zoran Stojiljković told reporters that Tatjana Babić was named acting director of the agency. Babić previously worked as the Board's secretary.

The procedure to replace Marković was put in motion last month, on suspicion that she had violated the Law on the Anti-Corruption Agency, and acted unconscionably.

Media reports suggested that Marković attempted to allocate a state-owned apartment in downtown Belgrade to herself - something she has denied.

Speaking on Friday, Stojiljković said that the Board's move came after a deliberation and an interview with the former director, and that this body would published more details on Tuesday, when Marković is to officially receive the decision, and its explanation.

Stojiljković also noted that an order was issued "to in the shortest amount of time start proceedings to return apartments to the government (ownership)", and to announce a competition to elect a new agency chief.

Reacting to the news, Marković on Friday stated:

"I only wish to tell the public that the decision made by the Board today after the alleged interview was disgraceful and is a setup".

The decision was not carried out in a legal manner, she asserted, and added that "the Board did not respect procedures, refusing to hear any of the submitted evidence, announcing instead the decision without a word of explanation."

Marković was elected for the office in a competition called in 2009, while the agency officially launched its activities on January 1, 2010.