Miroslav Miskovic detained for 30 days

(Miroslav Miskovic)

Miskovic, for two decades one of the most influential figures in Serbia, was arrested two days ago after the six-month-old government vowed to root out organized crime and corruption as it seeks talks on joining the European Union.

A judge has ordered Serbia’s richest man to spend 30 days in prison pending trial after his arrest on suspicion of corruption.

Billionaire retail tycoon Miroslav Miskovic, one of the Balkan country’s most influential figures, was arrested along with his son Marko and eight others, in connection with the privatization of several Serbian road construction companies in 2005, during which the suspects allegedly gained illegal profits of about €30 million ($39 million).

Serbia's chief organised crime prosecutor, Miljko Radisavljevic, said a pre-trial judge had ordered up to 30 days detention for Miskovic, his son and five others. The rest were freed pending trial.

The arrest was part of an anti-corruption sweep launched by Serbia’s new government.