Former acting director of Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), Milorad Grčić, along with 14 others, has been arrested on allegations of abusing their official positions during public procurement processes, leading to damages exceeding one million euros for EPS, as confirmed by the Chief Prosecutor of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, Nenad Stefanović, today.

During a press briefing, Stefanović disclosed that Grčić, who currently serves as the president of the Belgrade municipality of Obrenovac, and 14 accomplices were apprehended following a detailed pre-investigation into the manipulation of public contracts within EPS.

“An investigation has commenced against them on the basis of suspicion that they misused their official capacities in relation to public procurement, inflicting damages of over one million euros on EPS. Some individuals face additional charges of bribery, disguised as monetary gifts, and money laundering,” the prosecutor elaborated.

He noted that the prosecution intends to initiate a financial investigation against the suspects “and related individuals.”

“This marks the beginning of a significant campaign against corruption, with further developments expected shortly, which will be communicated to the public in a timely manner,” stated Stefanović.

This morning, Tanjug news agency confirmed that Grčić’s arrest was carried out under the direction of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade.

Beta news agency reported that, per the instruction of the Special Department for Combating Corruption of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, members of the Criminal Police Directorate detained the former acting director of EPS and 14 others. This was based on suspicion of multiple criminal offenses committed from 2018 to 2021, resulting in financial gain for themselves and others, which they later laundered.

Chief Public Prosecutor Nenad Stefanović specified that an investigation would be launched against these individuals for the suspected misuse of their positions related to public procurement for EPS, causing over 100 million dinars in unlawful gains, as stated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Some defendants also face charges of giving and receiving bribes, disguised through money laundering, according to Stefanović.

The prosecution will also initiate a financial investigation against the suspects and their associates.

“This is merely the onset of a comprehensive and planned campaign against corruption, with further actions anticipated in the forthcoming days, which will be publicly announced,” the Chief Public Prosecutor remarked.

Alongside MG, other arrested individuals include IM, coordinator of the ICT Sector at EPS; NS, an employee in this sector; TA, director of “Tim Systems”; AP, actual owner of “Tim Systems”; NV, responsible person at the same company; MB, director of “IntellSec”; MM, director of “HRC Horeca”; and others including KM, PG, MR, and IR, all apprehended under the prosecutor’s orders.

Also taken into custody were Lj.S, chief of Technical Protection Systems and Information Security in the Automatic Data Processing Branch; DB, director of the Football Club “Borac” from Lazarevac; and KB.

The suspects face charges including “abuse of official position,” “abuse of a responsible person’s role,” “money laundering,” “bribery,” and “trading in influence.”

All have been ordered to be detained for up to 48 hours, during which they will be subject to questioning.

News