# Serbia investigates allegations of state document disposal

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/environmental-and-administrative-incidents-in-croatia-and-se
> Updated: 2026-10-30T09:31:13.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2.

In Serbia, police are investigating allegations regarding the destruction or improper disposal of official documents. In Žitorađa, authorities seized paperwork after reports that documents were removed from a municipal building and discarded in a container. The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Prokuplje ordered a police investigation after citizens reported finding bags of documents in a public container. Investigations have expanded to include allegations that important papers were shredded and bagged at the PIO Fund, alongside similar claims regarding the Ministry of Health. In Bor, law enforcement intervened at a PIO Fund branch following reports that bags containing documentation were being moved late at night, with investigations reportedly focusing on the involvement of a company named SN Cleaning. A student group raised alarms after witnessing this late-night removal, prompting the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Bor to order a police investigation. Criminal police officers entered the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure to verify reports of potential document destruction. The Ministry stated it is cooperating fully and that the action was part of a standard verification process. In Novi Sad, Bojan Panaotović, director of the Cultural Center of Novi Sad, was called by police to provide information regarding the removal of old magazines and stage scenery, following social media allegations of evidence destruction. In Belgrade, the Third Basic Public Prosecutor's Office reported that ten bags found outside the Zemun Municipality contained only shredded copies of official records rather than originals. Prosecutors interviewed 21 individuals, including the municipal president and heads of public procurement and common affairs, to determine the reasons for the disposal, though no criminal offenses have been established at this time. Regarding these claims, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a categorical denial, labeling rumors of document destruction within its department as disinformation.

## Claims

- The Third Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade found that the bags in Zemun contained only shredded copies of official documents. (reported by 5 sources)
- Employees at the PIO Fund alleged that important papers were shredded and placed in bags. (reported by 3 sources)
- The Serbian State Archives stated that destroying documentary material requires prior written approval from the competent public archive. (reported by 2 sources)
- Police entered the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure to verify claims of document destruction. (reported by 2 sources)
- The Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Prokuplje ordered police to investigate documents found in a container in Žitorađa. (reported by 1 source)
- Bojan Panaotović was called to the police station to provide information regarding the removal of old magazines and stage scenery. (reported by 1 source)
- The company SN Cleaning was identified as the entity involved in the night-time removal of documents from the PIO Fund in Bor. (reported by 1 source)
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied all allegations regarding the destruction of official documentation. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-30: Serbia investigates multiple reports of suspicious document disposal

Serbian authorities are investigating various reports of suspicious document disposal at the PIO Fund in Bor, the Zemun Municipality, and the Žitorađa municipality, alongside inquiries in Novi Sad.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-investigate-allegations-of-document-destruction-in-serbia

### 2026-10-29: Environmental incidents reported in Prezid and Belgrade

Authorities in Croatia are investigating an asbestos-related environmental incident during a fire drill in Prezid, while AI-generated images falsely claimed graffiti had returned to a cleaned underpass in Belgr

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/environmental-incidents-reported-in-prezid-and-belgrade

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Cite as: Serbia investigates allegations of state document disposal. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/environmental-and-administrative-incidents-in-croatia-and-se