Serbian Journalist Claims Political Pressure Blocks Probe into Chinese Railway Contractors

The Serbian weekly Radar has uncovered disturbing details suggesting that political interference is actively hindering a crucial investigation into the reconstruction of the railway line to the Hungarian border. Journalist Nataša Korlat reports that the Special Prosecutor's Office has made repeated attempts, eight in total, to have the Ministry of Internal Affairs question responsible individuals from the Chinese companies involved in the project. However, these requests have been ignored for over a year and a half, a period marked by the collapse of a canopy and significant financial implications.

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Odgovorna lica u kineskim kompanijama koje su bile izvođači na rekonstrukciji pruge do mađarske granice, nisu saslušana usled političkih pritisaka, veruje novinarka nedeljnika Radar Nataša Korlat koja je pisala o ovom slučaju.

Korlat points to a pattern of political pressure influencing the Ministry of Internal Affairs' actions over the past year. More concerningly, she posits that the current government has a strong financial incentive to maintain close ties with Chinese companies. These partnerships, she argues, are used to fund Serbia's most expensive projects, even when significantly cheaper alternatives, such as a four-fold reduction in cost for the Novi Sad to Subotica railway, were available. This reliance on Chinese loans and contractors also appears to benefit domestic subcontractors closely aligned with the ruling SNS party.

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Jako je neobično što i nakon godinu i po dana od pada nadstrešnice, ljudi u kineskim kompanijama koji su bili glavni izvođači i glavni podizvođači na tom poslu, dakle i na poslu modernizacije i rekonstrukcije pruge od Novog Sada do Kelebije, uključujući i rekonstrukciju železničke stanice u Novom Sadu, nisu ispitani.

The journalist further suggests that the disbandment of the "Task Force for Investigating Financial Flows" may have been a deliberate act to sabotage investigations, not only in this railway case but also in others like the General Staff incident. These are politically sensitive matters, and the lack of progress is therefore not entirely surprising. Radar's reporting indicates that even after a recent meeting between the Special Prosecutor's Office, the SBPOK, and the Tax Administration, another request for information has been issued, consolidating previous demands. This ongoing situation raises serious questions about accountability and transparency in major infrastructure projects funded by foreign partners, particularly when domestic oversight appears compromised.

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Postavlja se pitanje zašto ljudi sa kojima je potpisan ugovor i koji su imali imovinsku korist od tog posla, zapravo nisu saslušani čak godinu i po dana.