Serbian police have detained Yugoslav Nikolic, head of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute, over alleged money laundering and undeclared assets. The 71-year-old director was held on suspicion of hiding property worth at least 650,000 euros, with two other people arrested in the same case, Serbian authorities said. Prosecutors claim the alleged scheme ran from November 2019 to November 2024. During that period, investigators allege Nikolic deposited large sums of cash into his personal bank accounts, including close to 42 million Serbian dinars, over 43,000 euros, and almost 45,000 Swiss francs. Authorities say the money was allegedly used to buy real estate in Belgrade, Uzice, and in Montenegro. The accusation also includes failing to declare the increase in his assets to the Agency for the Fight against Corruption. Nikolic, who has led the institute since 2014 and is described as a PhD and university lecturer, is being investigated for money laundering as well as not declaring assets and income. He was detained for up to 48 hours. The arrest is among a series of detentions of high-ranking figures in Serbia in recent days, including the detention of the head of criminal police Marko Krickak and businessman Davor Mацура, whose bank licence was reportedly withdrawn.