Media reports in Serbia have raised questions about the possible arrest of National Bank of Serbia Governor Jorgovanka Tabaković following the detention of Alta Bank owner Davor Macura over an alleged large-scale financial fraud.
According to Serbian newspaper Kurir, Tabaković could face arrest on suspicion that she failed to prevent the alleged withdrawal of funds from Alta Bank. The investigation is reportedly being handled by the Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office.
However, neither the prosecutor’s office, the police nor the National Bank of Serbia has publicly confirmed the reports or announced any decision to arrest the governor.
Tabaković has led Serbia’s central bank since 2012.
Central Bank Officials Call for Investigation
Four deputy governors of the National Bank of Serbia — Željko Jović, Ana Ivković, Dragana Stanić and Nikola Dragašević — called on prosecutors on October 31 to establish all the facts surrounding the revocation of Alta Bank’s operating license and determine whether any officials within the central bank bear criminal responsibility.
They said it was particularly important to establish when and at what level of management officials became aware of the risks identified at the bank.
The deputy governors stated that they had learned the true extent of the situation only during an emergency meeting of the central bank’s Executive Board on the evening of October 30.
According to their statement, the information presented at that meeting differed significantly from the reports Alta Bank had previously submitted to the central bank.
Opposition Leader Files Criminal Complaint
On October 29, Democratic Party leader Srđan Milivojević filed a criminal complaint against Tabaković with the Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office.
Milivojević alleged that Alta Bank requested the conversion of dinars into euros on October 27 and that the governor approved the transaction without following the usual procedures.
He also claimed that preparations were underway to transfer €50 million to an account held by the bank with a foreign correspondent institution.
Milivojević called for an investigation into the conduct of officials at both the National Bank of Serbia and Alta Bank over suspected abuse of office and money laundering.
The central bank has not publicly responded to his allegations.
Alta Bank Bankruptcy Proceedings Opened
The developments follow the arrest of Alta Bank owner Davor Macura and two employees.
The Organized Crime Prosecutor’s Office suspects that Macura, with the assistance of the two employees, removed approximately 45 billion dinars — equivalent to around €382 million — from the bank’s vaults.
The Commercial Court in Belgrade opened bankruptcy proceedings against Alta Bank on Tuesday.
The allegations against Tabaković have not been established, and no official confirmation of a planned arrest has been issued. The investigation into the bank’s financial operations and possible responsibility within the central bank remains a separate matter from the media reports concerning the governor.
