Serbia's NGO Offices Raided Amidst USAID Funds Probe

Serbian police conducted raids on four civil society organizations as part of an investigation into alleged misuse of USAID funds. The probe follows the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid. State prosecutor Nenad Stefanovic has requested US Department of Justice assistance in investigating potential fund misuse and money laundering.

In a significant development, Serbian police raided the offices of four civil society organizations on Tuesday amid allegations of USAID funds misuse in Serbia. This crackdown follows the Trump administration's earlier freeze on USAID foreign aid funding.

Nenad Stefanovic, the state prosecutor, revealed that Serbia has sought assistance from the US Department of Justice to investigate potential fund abuses after the fund freeze, citing concerns raised by prominent figures including Trump and State Secretary Marco Rubio.

Prominent organizations, including the Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability, or CRTA, and the Civic Initiatives group, confirmed the raids, expressing concerns over the attack on civic rights. The move comes amid ongoing anti-corruption protests against President Aleksandar Vucic's government.

(With inputs from agencies.)