The Italian daily La Repubblica reported today that Serbia’s authorities are facing serious trouble over the Trump Tower project, after fake documents were allegedly used to demolish a historic building in order to make way for the development.
According to the newspaper, one minister and three other officials have been accused in connection with the case. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has already announced that he would pardon them, which La Repubblica describes as yet another in a series of corruption scandals further weakening Vučić’s position.
The goal of the project, the paper reports, was also linked to efforts to remove U.S. sanctions against Serbia’s largest oil refinery, in order to prevent the country from facing a major fuel shortage.
However, after it was revealed that forged documents had been used, the project’s main investor Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump—reportedly withdrew from the deal. Vučić expressed regret over this outcome and, according to La Repubblica, announced that he would initiate legal action against those who blocked the construction of the hotel and business complex in Belgrade, blaming “blockaders, students, and citizens.”
The Rome-based daily explains that Vučić was referring to “all those who have been protesting for a year in the streets and squares against growing corruption,” whom he has labeled as being against any development project and determined to destroy Serbia by driving away investments.
According to La Repubblica, the accused minister Selaković called prosecutors a “criminal gang,” while Vučić threatened prosecutors by saying that they would “have to deal with him.”
