Category: Money and deals
Period: from Nov 2019
Outcome: Under investigation (as of 3 Nov 2026)
On the orders of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, police on 3 November 2026 arrested Jugoslav Nikolić, director of the Republic Hydrometeorological Service, and, according to the Interior Ministry, his wife and son. Prosecutors suspect them of laundering at least €650,000 between 2019 and 2024, and suspect Nikolić of failing, as a public official, to report significant changes in his assets. The Higher Court in Belgrade ordered Nikolić held in custody for up to 30 days, and on 6 November he was dismissed as director of the service.
Jugoslav Nikolić, a meteorologist and professor, headed the Republic Hydrometeorological Service from June 2014, first as acting director and later by appointment under a decision of the Government of Serbia.
Three days after his arrest, on 6 November 2026, he was dismissed as acting director, and Aleksandar Nišavić was appointed acting director of the service for six months, the Official Gazette announced.
On the orders of the Special Anti-Corruption Department of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, the police Anti-Corruption Service arrested Nikolić along with two other people. According to a statement from the prosecution, between November 2019 and November 2024 the suspects transferred and converted at least €650,000 in Belgrade, Čačak, Užice, Bajina Bašta and Montenegro, knowing that the money came from criminal activity.
Nikolić is suspected of depositing 41.9 million dinars, €43,150 and 44,760 Swiss francs in cash into his accounts at a bank, without lawful income to cover it, and of buying property in Belgrade, Užice and Montenegro. He is also accused of failing, as a public official, to report significant changes in his assets to the Anti-Corruption Agency.
According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, the other two suspects are Nikolić's wife and son. The prosecution says that in November 2024 Nikolić and his wife signed several flats, parking spaces, plots of land and a commercial space over to their son under a contract concluded before a notary in Čačak.
In his latest asset declaration, according to N1, Nikolić reported a salary of 370,000 dinars, a co-owned 66-square-metre flat, a garage and two old cars.
After being held for up to 48 hours, the suspects were questioned at the prosecutor's office on 4 November 2026 and used their right to remain silent. The prosecution asked the Higher Court in Belgrade to remand them in custody.
The court ordered Nikolić held in custody for up to 30 days so that he could not influence witnesses or reoffend. It barred one of the other two suspects from leaving their flat, under electronic monitoring, and released the other from detention, so that person will face proceedings at liberty.