Goran Percevic remanded in 30 day detention

BELGRADE - The Belgrade Higher Court remanded owner of Interkomerc Goran Percevic in 30 day detention on suspicion that he was involved in fraud in Univerzal banka worth several million dinars.

Percevic was remanded in detention because of the danger that he may exert pressure on witnesses in the course of the investigation, states the release issued by the Higher Court of Belgrade.

Goran Percevic, owner of Interkomerc and former high-ranking official of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), was arrested in Belgrade on Saturday.

Percevic is suspected of multiple crimes related to Univerzal banka, which declared bankruptcy early this year.

Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said earlier that Percevic is suspected of using his position and exceeding his authority to secure loans for a number of companies through direct deals with Univerzal's management.

Certain companies got 34 loans that totalled over RSD 1.4 billion, which could not be returned due to credit inability and inadequate security, which was known at the time the loans were approved, Stefanovic said.

Percevic's Interkomerc was among those companies who owed the most to Univerzal, RSD 1 billion.

Percevic was one of the founders and a president of the Young Socialists of Serbia and later a vice president of the SPS. He left the party in November 2000.

According to media reports, Percevic owns valuable real estate, mostly in the centre of Belgrade, that have been under mortgage since 4-5 years ago, which did not prevent him from using them as collateral for new loans.

Photo Tanjug, Z. Zestic (archive)