Prosecutors detail allegations against arrested former minister Basta: Eight detained over 14 million dinar ca

According to the Prosecutor's Office, Basta is suspected of causing losses of 14.1 million dinars through unjustified donations, providing financial benefits of the same amount to various associations, organisations and companies that received the funds.

Seven other people were arrested in the same operation, including D. I., the company's executive director for economic and financial affairs, as well as legal representatives of several sports associations and clubs based in Belgrade, Sopot and Mladenovac.

Basta is suspected of the continued criminal offence of abuse of office, while D. I. is suspected of aiding and abetting abuse of office. The remaining suspects face money laundering allegations.

According to prosecutors, between November 27, 2020, and June 6, 2022, while serving as director of "Beogradske elektrane", Basta allegedly abused his position and authority by approving 10 financial donations to associations and companies totalling 14.1 million dinars.

Prosecutors claim the decisions violated regulations governing financial assistance to registered associations, organisations and individuals who were not employed by the public utility company.

Based on those decisions, payments exceeding 100,000 dinars each were made to the recipients.

The payments were processed by D. I., who prosecutors allege was aware that the donation decisions and agreements had been made in violation of applicable regulations.

Money laundering allegations involving six million dinars

Prosecutors also suspect that representatives of the recipient organisations were involved in laundering a total of six million dinars.

According to the investigation, funds transferred by "Beogradske elektrane" to the associations' bank accounts were withdrawn by the suspects, who allegedly kept part of the money as commission before handing the remainder to another suspect, identified as Ž. V.

All eight suspects have been detained for up to 48 hours and are expected to be questioned within that period by the Special Department for Combating Corruption of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade.