The director of Serbia’s Republic Hydrometeorological Institute (RHMZ) has been arrested with two other people over suspected money laundering and concealment of illegal assets, including real estate purchases in Serbia and Montenegro. Jugoslav Nikolić, 71, along with ON and Đ. N., were ordered detained for up to 48 hours, pending questioning at the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade. Investigators suspect a scheme running from November 2019 to November 2024 across Belgrade, Čačak, Užice, Bajina Bašta, and Montenegro. Prosecutors allege the suspects transferred and converted property worth at least €650,000, knowing it stemmed from criminal activity. The RHMZ director is also accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act of failing to declare assets and income, or allegedly providing false information. Investigators say Nikolić deposited 41,878,195 dinars, 43,150 euros, and 44,760 Swiss francs into his accounts during the period, despite having no legal income they say would justify the money. They allege he used it to buy real estate in Belgrade, Užice, and Montenegro. ON is suspected of transferring at least €227,548 between June 2021 and 2023 without a legal source, using it to purchase apartments, a garage space, and business premises in Čačak and Montenegro. Đ. N. is suspected of transferring at least 1.5 million dinars in June 2021 to buy an apartment in Montenegro. Prosecutors further allege that in November 2024 Nikolić and ON agreed on the assignment and distribution of property during their lifetime, transferring ownership rights to several apartments, garage spaces, cadastral plots, and one business premises in Čačak and Montenegro to Đ. N. The three suspects are being investigated following their arrests ordered by the Special Department for Suppression of Corruption of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade.