Ex-minister accused of corruption

Stanko Subotic aka Cane accused on Wednesday former Interior Minister Dusan Mihajlovic of accepting his money. Subotic is wanted in Serbia on cigarette smuggling charges, and his representatives held a press conference in Belgrade to say that Mihajlovic received a quarter of a million euros in 2003. Ex-minister accused of corruption EUR 50,000 of the money allegedly went to the election campaign fund for Mihajlovic's party, Nova Demokratija (New Democracy). Transparency Serbia's Nemanja Nenadic said the chances of determining whether these allegations were true were slim. He explained that in 2003, parties were not obligated by law to submit their financial reports, and for that reason, there are no written records about donations. Nenadic also spoke in favor of a high degree of transparency when it comes to financing of political parties, in order to protect the society from the danger of "various influences". Meanwhile, Subotic's lawyers sent a statement to the Special Prosecution accusing Mihajlovic of "racketeering" their client and offering in return not to press cigarette smuggling charges against him. Mihajlovic reacted in a written statement on Wednesday, calling the accusations "absolute and malicious lies".

Ex-minister accused of corruption

EUR 50,000 of the money allegedly went to the election campaign fund for Mihajlović's party, Nova Demokratija (New Democracy).

Transparency Serbia's Nemanja Nenadić said the chances of determining whether these allegations were true were slim.

He explained that in 2003, parties were not obligated by law to submit their financial reports, and for that reason, there are no written records about donations.

Nenadić also spoke in favor of a high degree of transparency when it comes to financing of political parties, in order to protect the society from the danger of "various influences".

Meanwhile, Subotić's lawyers sent a statement to the Special Prosecution accusing Mihajlović of "racketeering" their client and offering in return not to press cigarette smuggling charges against him.

Mihajlović reacted in a written statement on Wednesday, calling the accusations "absolute and malicious lies".