Serbian Minister and Officials Face Charges in Controversial Hotel Project

Belgrade, Serbia – December 15, 2025: Serbia’s Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic and three other officials have been indicted by prosecutors over alleged illegalities in the approval process of a hotel development linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The proposed project involves transforming the bombed-out former Yugoslav army headquarters in Belgrade into a high-rise hotel. The redevelopment plan has sparked widespread protests, with demonstrators calling for the preservation of the building’s unique modernist architecture and its significance as a memorial to the 1999 NATO bombing.

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Allegations of Forgery and Abuse of Office

Serbian prosecutors allege that the revocation of the building’s protected “cultural-heritage status” was based on a forged document. Goran Vasic, acting head of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, admitted in May to forging an official document, leading to his indictment alongside Selakovic and two other officials.

The charges include abuse of office and forgery of official documents. If convicted, the accused could face up to five years in prison.

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Kushner-Linked Investment Deal

Affinity Partners, a Miami-based investment firm connected to Jared Kushner, signed a 99-year land lease with the Serbian government last year, shortly after the building’s heritage status was revoked. Lawmakers fast-tracked the development despite ongoing investigations, citing the project’s urgency and potential economic benefits.

President Aleksandar Vucic has publicly supported the redevelopment, emphasizing Serbia’s modernization and pledging to protect those involved from prosecution if necessary.

“I am the one who wanted Serbia’s modernization. I am the one who wanted to bring in a major investor,” Vucic stated during a visit to the southern city of Nis, reinforcing his commitment to the project despite the indictments.

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Public Opposition and Preservation Concerns

Protests in Belgrade have intensified, with citizens and heritage activists demanding that the former army headquarters be preserved as both a historical site and a memorial. Critics argue that fast-tracking the development undermines cultural preservation laws and disregards public sentiment.

The controversy highlights broader concerns about governance, transparency, and foreign investment in Serbia, raising questions about balancing economic development with cultural heritage protection.