Bosnian Serb Inspectors Halt Delta's Huge Mall

The Republika Srpska Construction Inspection has banned Delta Real Estate, owned by Serbian businessman Miroslav Miskovic, from further construction of the huge "Delta Planet" shopping centre in Banja Luka, the administrative centre of Bosnia's mainly Serbian entity, and ordered it to demolish two illegally built floors within two months.

The Republika Srpska Inspectorate confirmed the information to BIRN on Wednesday.

Inspectors last week examined building permits as well as licenses for works contractors.

According to the Inspectorate, Delta Real Estate had a construction permit only for conducting preparatory works. Delta requested a building permit but did not get it by the time the inspection was made. It has the right to appeal under the law.

Delta Real Estate said it had not yet obtained the RS Inspector's decision. "We are not familiar with the content of the decision, so we can not comment on it," its PR team told BIRN.

They say the company complies with RS and Bosnian rules and procedures and will do so in future.

Miskovic, the owner of the largest privately-held company in Serbia, Delta Holding, was dubbed "the richest Serb" by Forbes Magazine.

Delta Holding includes land, a major stake in the Port of Belgrade, shopping centres and car dealerships. It employs thousands of people, making it the largest non-government employer in Serbia. The company works also in Bulgaria, Bosnia, Macedonia and Cyprus.

Construction of the mall in Banja Luka began in mid-September. The largest object of this kind in Bosnia, it occupies an area of 62,500 square metres worth around 70 million euros.

In addition to new shops, the  mall will feature the largest cinema in this area, with six halls as well as a supermarket,...