
Former Serbian Economy Minister Rade Basta has been arrested by order of the High Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, on suspicion that during the time he was running the public enterprise "Beogradske elektrane" he financially damaged it by tens of millions of dinars.
According to Serbian media, Basta has approved unjustified donations to various sports clubs, including small football and basketball clubs, as well as a riding club.
Members of the Anti-Corruption Service are involved in the operation, carrying out arrests and searches in various locations. Serbian media report that several other people suspected of having links to Basta's activities are also being taken into custody as part of the same investigation.
Rade Basta held the position of Minister of Economy from October 2022 to 2023, when he was dismissed from office.
His dismissal came after he urged the Serbian government at the time to take an immediate stance on imposing sanctions on the Russian Federation for its aggression against Ukraine. After that, he founded the “European Way” movement.
Basta was appointed minister as a representative of the "United Serbia" party, which also demanded his removal from all party and public positions where he had been proposed by this political force, due to his statements in support of sanctions against Russia.