Authorities in Niš have detained thirteen individuals on allegations of negligent performance of official duties, as reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) on Monday.

Those apprehended include former director of the Public Utility Company (PUC) “Medijana” IM (1979), the former deputy mayor of Niš DD (1961), the former assistant mayor VI (1968), the director of the Health Center in Niš MJ (1955), the former director of PUC “Naissus” Niš GM (1987), the current director of the Emergency Medical Service in Niš SR (1966), the secretary of the Red Cross in Niš SS (1974), the director of the Institute of Public Health in Niš MS (1974), the former director of the Veterinary Specialist Institute “Niš” MP (1982), and the current director of the Veterinary Specialist Institute “Niš” MA (1990).

Authorities are still actively pursuing two additional suspects.

Additionally, in collaboration with the Internal Control Sector, the head of the Emergency Management Agency in Niš SM (1971) and a police officer from the Niš Police Department DT (1981) were also arrested. The head of the Army Command AT (1981) was apprehended in cooperation with the Military Police.

The Ministry of Interior announced that the suspects are believed to have acted recklessly as members of the Emergency Situations Headquarters of the City of Niš, supporting decisions that resulted in the declaration of a state of emergency across various city municipalities.

These decisions facilitated the engagement of companies such as “Vodomontera” from Lalinac and PD “Sim puk gradnja” doo from Malošište, which undertook construction projects for a new water supply and sewage system in Niš.

Instead of following the Public Procurement Law as required, they utilized the Law on Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management, despite the fact that the situations in question did not constitute emergencies but rather investment and maintenance expansions of the water and sewage systems, as stated in the announcement.

According to the Ministry of Interior, these entities are suspected of invoicing the City of Niš for temporary and completed works at inflated prices totaling 843,336,450 dinars, causing financial damage to the City.

The suspects are set to be presented to the relevant prosecutor’s office alongside a criminal complaint.

Previously, on February 21, four individuals were arrested in Niš, suspected of abuse of official position and causing damage to the city budget amounting to approximately four million euros.

Among those detained is former Niš mayor Dragana Sotirovski, who served as mayor from 2020 to 2024 under the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.

She, along with three others, has been remanded in custody for up to 23 days as of February 30th.

The detention was mandated due to concerns that the suspects might influence witnesses and that there was a public disturbance, threatening the integrity of criminal proceedings.

Following the anti-corruption initiative announced by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, police have made numerous arrests.

This operation coincided with widespread protests calling for accountability and criminal responsibility following the deaths of 15 individuals in the collapse of a canopy at the refurbished Railway Station in Novi Sad on November 1st.

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