Serb minister among officials on trial over Kushner-linked real estate project in Belgrade

February 4, 2026 - 23:05

BELGRADE, Serbia — A high-profile trial commenced Wednesday, placing Serbia's Culture Minister Nikola Selakovic and three other officials at the center of a major corruption scandal. The defendants face serious charges of abuse of office and document falsification related to a planned luxury real estate project in Belgrade.

The case revolves around a multi-billion dollar development deal for the site of the former Serbian army headquarters. Prosecutors allege the officials illegally expedited the controversial project and manipulated official records to favor the investor.

That investor was a company affiliated with Jared Kushner, the son-in-law and former senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump. The proposed development had drawn significant public scrutiny and protest from urban activists and citizens concerned about the privatization of a prime, state-owned location in the capital.

The trial marks a significant moment, testing the judiciary's willingness to hold high-ranking political figures accountable. The defendants have entered pleas of not guilty. If convicted, the officials could face substantial prison sentences, casting a shadow over the current administration as the proceedings unfold in the coming months.