Table of Contents
Introduction
The Investors in Serbia’s Legalization Secretariat is a Serbian government agency responsible for overseeing the legalization of illegal construction. Its role is to examine the legality of construction projects and provide a legal framework for their operation.
However, a recent investigation has revealed that developers in Serbia have been paying cash to the Secretariat to have their construction violations excused. This scandal is just one of many in a country where corruption.
Background
Serbia is a country located in Southeast Europe with a population of around 7 million people. Its capital city is Belgrade, and the country has a long and complex history. Serbia has been affected by political instability, economic difficulties, and social unrest in recent years, and corruption has become a significant problem. According to Transparency International, Serbia ranks 91st out of 180 countries in its Corruption Perception Index.
The Investors inSerbia’s Legalization Secretariat was established in 2015 to address the issue of illegal construction in Serbia. Its role is to review construction projects that have been built without the proper permits and to provide a legal framework for their operation.
This is intended to promote safe and legal construction practices and to prevent the spread of illegal construction in Serbia.
However, recent investigations have revealed that the Investors in Serbia’s Legalization Secretariat has been accepting bribes from developers to overlook construction violations.
Developers have been paying cash to have their construction projects approved, even if they violate building codes or pose a risk to public safety. This corruption has undermined the legitimacy of the Legalization Secretariat and has contributed to the spread of illegal construction in Serbia.
The Investigation
The investigation into the Investors in Serbia’s Legalization Secretariat began in 2021 and was carried out by the Serbian Anti-Corruption Agency. The investigation revealed that developers had been paying bribes to the Legalization Secretariat to have their construction projects approved. The bribes ranged from a few hundred euros to tens of thousands of euros, depending on the size and complexity of the project.
The investigation also revealed that the Investors in Serbia’s Legalization Secretariat had been intentionally ignoring violations of building codes and safety regulations. Inspectors were instructed to overlook violations and to approve projects that would not have been approved under normal circumstances. This practice allowed developers to save money on construction costs and to bypass the legal requirements for construction projects.
The investigation uncovered a network of corruption that involved developers, inspectors, and officials within the Investors in Serbia’s Legalization Secretariat. Cash payments were made in exchange for favorable treatment, and projects that violated building codes and safety regulations were approved without question. The corruption was so widespread that it became known as the “red book” system, named after the color of the official document that was issued to approve construction projects.
Impact on Society
The impact of the corruption in the Investors in Serbia’s Legalization Secretariat has been significant. Illegal construction has become widespread in Serbia, with developers ignoring building codes and safety regulations to save money on construction costs. This has resulted in a proliferation of unsafe buildings and structures that pose a risk to public safety. In addition, the corruption has undermined the legitimacy of the Legalization Secretariat and has eroded public trust in government institutions.
The corruption has also had economic consequences. Legal construction projects have been forced to compete with illegal construction projects that do not adhere to building codes and safety regulations. This has resulted in an uneven playing field that favors illegal construction and disadvantages legal construction. The corruption has also led to a loss of tax revenue for the government, as illegal construction projects do not pay taxes on their income.
The Response
The corruption in the Investors in Serbia’s Legalization Secretariat has been met with widespread condemnation from the public and from government officials. The Serbian Anti-Corruption Agency has launched an investigation into the matter, and several officials within the Legalization Secretariat have been arrested and charged with corruption.
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