Prosecution Combing Documents of Four NGOS for Potential Misuse of USAID Funding

Nenad Stefanovic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

The Higher Public Prosecution Office in Belgrade said on Feb. 25 it had ordered the police to seize documents in relation to donations from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of four non-governmental organizations (NGO) in Serbia, and also to conduct interviews with the persons responsible in those NGOs about spending donations.

According to an announcement, acting upon a warrant issued by the Higher Public Prosecution Office in Belgrade, the police have started collecting information about operations of the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), Civic Initiatives, the Center for Practical Policies, and Trag Foundation.

Nenad Stefanovic, chief public prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecution Office in Belgrade, said that the Office had asked the US Justice Department to provide the required information in relation to “suspicions” presented by top US officials in relation to abuse of USAID funds, possible money laundering and misuse of funds of US tax payers in Serbia.

“Large concentration of funds on accounts of several NGOs or associated consulting firms in Serbia, along with lack of transparency in distribution of funds to a very narrow group of NGOs and absence of complete financial reports form a reasonable doubt that USAID funds have been spent lawfully,” the prosecutor said.

Civic Initiatives have confirmed the police showed up at their premises in Belgrade in the morning on Feb. 25, describing it as “a serious attack on fundamental rights and continuation of unlawful pressure on the civil society in Serbia.” The NGO added that “such use of the police for political purposes represents a harsh abuse of state institutions in cracking down on opponents and continued suppression of free and democratic activity in Serbia.”  

CRTA has also confirmed the police came to their office, wondering “how it is possible that tabloids had the news published even before the police arrived at our premises."