Belgrade Corruption Unit Indicts 29 in Q2 2026, Issues Verdicts for 44 Others

In the second quarter of 2026, Serbia's Special Department for Corruption Suppression, operating under the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, took significant action against corruption. The office announced that it had filed indictments against 29 individuals during this period. This figure reflects a multi-pronged approach to prosecution, with 14 individuals facing charges through indictment proposals, three through direct indictments, and a further 12 indicted after comprehensive investigations were completed.

The department's work extended to finalizing legal proceedings for a larger group. Verdicts were delivered for a total of 44 individuals. Of these, nine received acquittals, while 35 were convicted. Among those convicted, 15 were sentenced to prison terms, indicating a focus on custodial sentences for serious offenses.

Beyond convictions, the department also pursued the financial aspects of corruption. Between April 1 and June 30, 2026, illicit gains totaling 842,023.07 dinars were confiscated from two individuals, underscoring efforts to strip offenders of their ill-gotten wealth.

The Special Department's jurisdiction covers a broad area, encompassing the territories of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Offices in Belgrade, Smederevo, Pancevo, and Valjevo. During the second quarter, the office actively managed a substantial caseload, processing criminal charges filed against a total of 2,003 individuals. While 156 new charges were received during this quarter, the majority of the cases, 1,780, stemmed from previous periods, highlighting ongoing efforts to clear backlogs.

Further details of the department's operational activities include requests for information on 131 individuals, the dismissal of charges against 188 individuals, and the execution of investigative actions against 18 people. Additionally, orders for the initiation of investigations were issued for 19 individuals, while 388 individuals were subject to ongoing investigations from earlier periods. The quarter concluded with 12 investigations finalized and four cases being dropped, leaving 391 investigations pending at the end of June 2026.