Serbian authorities conducted a raid on the premises of two Belgrade-based democracy watchdogs, with the aim of investigating potential mismanagement of funds provided by the U.S. international aid agency (USAID), announced Nenad Stefanovic, a senior state prosecutor, on Tuesday.
This action follows the U.S. administration's suspension of USAID funding for 90 days in January under President Donald Trump, who has been working to reduce the aid agency's operations. The effects of the funding freeze have impacted NGOs, media outlets, and humanitarian initiatives globally, notably in southern and eastern European countries.
Stefanovic mentioned that inquiries were made to the U.S. authorities based on statements from Trump, State Secretary Marco Rubio, Elon Musk, and other U.S. officials regarding the freeze on USAID support. The CRTA polling agency, as well as the watchdog organizations Civic Initiatives, Trag, and the Policy Center, are under scrutiny for alleged mismanagement of USAID funds.
The Special Anti-Corruption Department of Serbia has reached out to the U.S. Justice Department for details concerning potential financial misuse, money laundering, and inappropriate expenditure of American taxpayers’ money in Serbia. Stefanovic highlighted that the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office has authorized the seizure of all USAID-related records from the four organizations and mandated interviews with those responsible for spending.
Maja Stojanovic, executive director of Civic Initiatives, criticized the police operation, stating that the unauthorized raid was a coercive tactic exerted on civil society in Serbia. The police action occurs in the backdrop of significant student protests against President Aleksandar Vucic's government, which is accused by students, opposition parties, and rights groups of corruption, voter manipulation, media censorship, violence against dissidents, and links to organized crime, allegations vehemently denied by Vucic and his supporters.
For almost two decades, USAID has channeled close to $1 billion into Serbia to promote economic development, uphold legal standards, and enhance governance, including contributions to governmental entities, the parliament, as well as various oversight bodies and human rights organizations.