Marinika Tepić of the Serbian Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) has released a new indictment against former government minister Zorana Mihajlović, accusing her of playing a central role in what critics describe as an organized corruption network connected to President Aleksandar Vučić and his brother Andrej.
According to the SSP, Mihajlović’s tenure in multiple ministries – including Energy, Infrastructure, and Construction – allowed her to facilitate massive financial losses, legal violations, and systemic corruption, enriching the Vučić network while undermining Serbia’s economic and social foundations.
Major Allegations Against Mihajlović
- Belgrade Waterfront (Beograd na Vodi)
- Mihajlović allegedly signed agreements giving away prime state land to foreign investors without competitive bidding. Investigations suggest the UAE-based Eagle Hills may have been a paravan for Vučić-connected interests, transferring billions in state assets to private hands.
- Serbia-China Infrastructure Deals
- Critics say Mihajlović prioritized expensive Chinese loans over EU grants for railways and highways, driving Serbia into debt dependency while benefiting contractors linked to the ruling party. The Preljina-Požega and Novi Sad–Subotica railway projects reportedly cost multiple times more than comparable EU-funded projects.
- Nikola Tesla Airport (Vinci Airports / Vansi)
- Mihajlović signed concession agreements criticized as financially disadvantageous for Serbia, guaranteeing profits for foreign investors while creating monopolistic conditions in key infrastructure.
- Belgrade Metro
- The metro project, developed under Mihajlović, is said to be overpriced, benefiting politically connected contractors and diverting funds from other urban priorities. Cost estimates suggest the SNS-linked contracts were 2–3 times higher than comparable European metro projects.
- Nadstrešnica Collapse in Novi Sad (2024)
- The deadly collapse of a railway canopy, which killed 16 people, is attributed to negligence and poor oversight during Mihajlović’s administration. Investigators claim that systemic corruption allowed unsafe construction practices to continue unchecked.
- Milenijum Tim Monopoly
- Mihajlović is accused of enabling this private company to dominate public works without competitive bidding, consolidating power in sectors such as energy, water, and infrastructure.
- Nikola Petrović Energy Deals
- Allegedly, Mihajlović facilitated state subsidies and guaranteed electricity purchases that enriched Petrović, a close ally of Vučić, at the expense of public funds.
- EPS Crisis (Electric Power Industry of Serbia)
- During her tenure, EPS suffered historic losses exceeding €1.6 billion, partially due to mismanagement, excessive imports, and failed investments, critics argue, while the Vučić network profited.
Legal Charges in the Indictment
- Abuse of office
- Association for committing criminal offenses
- Influence peddling and facilitating extortion
- Negligent public administration
- Damaging public assets of significant value
- Violating Serbia’s financial interests
- Betrayal of state interests
The indictment calls for both domestic and international investigations, including a review of Chinese contracts, airport concessions, and the Belgrade Waterfront project. It also demands accountability for the Novi Sad canopy collapse, which resulted in multiple fatalities.
Critical Perspective on Vučić
The SSP’s indictment indirectly highlights the centralized power and influence of Aleksandar Vučić, portraying him as the orchestrator behind a system where state resources are diverted to private networks. Critics argue that Mihajlović’s actions, whether through negligence or active complicity, reflect a broader pattern of political patronage, corruption, and manipulation of state infrastructure projects under Vučić’s administration.
Marinika Tepić described the indictment as the “Path to Prison – Justice for Serbia”, framing it as a necessary step to hold high-ranking officials accountable and restore public trust in Serbian institutions.
Evidence Cited
- Investigative reports from CINS, KRIK, BIRN, Nova.rs, Insajder, and N1
- Parliamentary commission findings on infrastructure failures
- Contracts, annexes, and official government records
Zorana Mihajlović is accused of being a central figure in a corruption and clientelism network benefiting Aleksandar Vučić and his associates. The indictment underscores financial, infrastructural, and human costs, highlighting systemic governance issues in Serbia.
