Serbian police conducted raids on four non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Tuesday as part of an investigation by the Belgrade Higher Prosecutor’s Office focused on the alleged misuse of funds received from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The NGOs targeted included Civic Initiatives, the Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), the Centre for Practical Policy, and the Trag Foundation, all known for their engagement with human and civil rights, electoral integrity, and rule of law.
Approximately 20 officers entered Civic Initiatives at 9 a.m. during the operation. According to Ksenija Nikic, the capacity-building program manager at Civic Initiatives, police stated they had “a warrant from the Prosecutor’s Office to check the organisation’s work” but did not provide any documentation to back this claim. Nikic indicated the police requested and reviewed various organization documents. She remarked on the potential motives behind the raids, noting, “obviously because we are one of the organisations that's critically observing the actions of this government, which should be the role of the civil sector.”
The police actions unfolded against the backdrop of persistent student-led protests triggered by the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at Novi Sad railway station on November 1, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals. Protesters have used the incident to highlight perceived official corruption.
Civic Initiatives shares its building with the Centre for Practical Policy, which was also subjected to scrutiny during the police raids, even though it currently does not hold any USAID-funded projects. Dragan Popovic, the director of the Centre for Practical Policy, condemned the action as “a form of pressure and senseless showing off of the authoritarian regime’s muscles.” He stressed, “It is an obvious misuse of institutions to deal with the most active part of civil society. I think the targets are primarily Civic Initiatives and CRTA as the two most active organisations working directly with citizens and well-regarded among activists throughout Serbia.”
Reports indicate the investigation stems from critiques made by high-ranking US officials concerning USAID’s operations, particularly during the Trump administration. Nenad Stefanovic, the chief prosecutor of the Belgrade Higher Prosecutor’s Office, stated the case was opened after conversations with the US Justice Department concerning suspicions about the operations of USAID funded organizations. Stefanovic highlighted the inquiries related to potential violations like abuse of official position and money laundering.
CRTA also issued its own press release, noting the alarming environment surrounding the investigation, particularly as pro-government tabloids publicized news of the police arrival at the NGO offices even before the officers had conducted the searches. Radovan Kupres, another CRTA manager, expressed concern over the ramifications of such raids, stating unequivocally, “It’s the first time we’ve been subjected to something like this, and we increasingly feel as if we’re living in Belarus.” He detailed how police officers sought comprehensive documentation on the projects funded by USAID during their intrusive inspections.
The backdrop of this investigation is February 2023’s statement from the Trump administration, which infamously froze USAID funding worldwide, instigated by alleged mismanagement accusations against the agency. The prosecutor's recent comments reflected this sentiment, indicating the investigation was partly fueled by “doubts about USAID's work” publicly expressed by senior US officials, including former President Donald Trump and notable government figures linked to efficiency reforms under USAID.
Popovic cautioned against the troubling trends reflected by these actions, remarking, “Trump’s pursuit of USAID is being used to threaten the work of civil society in Serbia.” His concern resonates within the broader discourse about shrinking democratic space and civil rights across Eastern Europe. Such sentiments raise alarms over the growing authoritarian tendencies observed not just within Serbia but within many post-Yugoslav spaces.
With these developments, the situation remains tense. The outcome of the raids and the subsequent legal proceedings will likely influence not only the targeted NGOs but the broader civil society organizations operating across Serbia. The ramifications of this investigation are yet to fully materialize, yet they signal concerning developments for human rights and civil liberties within the nation.