Serbia Arrests 46 In Anticorruption Sweep

Serbian authorities say they have arrested 46 people on charges of corruption and money-laundering.

Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said on March 18 that 15 traffic police officers were arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes.

A judge, an official of the state-run pension fund, and a former mayor were also arrested in the nationwide sweep before parliamentary elections in April.

The suspects' activities are estimated to have cost the state or local authorities a total of 7 million euros ($7.9 million).

It was the second big swoop on corruption since December when police arrested 86 people.

Serbia opened EU accession talks in December. To join the bloc, Belgrade will have to demonstrate progress in dismantling rampant corruption and organized crime.

Based on reporting by Reuters and b92.net