PIO document-destruction case moves from political allegations to a police evidence hunt

PIO document-destruction case moves from political allegations to a police evidence hunt
Allegations of organized document destruction at Serbia’s Pension and Disability Insurance Fund have moved from social-media claims and union complaints to a formal evidence-gathering process.

The issue escalated after the Association of Free and Independent Trade Unions (ASNS) said it had recovered several bags of shredded papers from containers at the PIO Fund’s headquarters. Dragan Domazet, the union’s representative, said the material appeared primarily connected to political activity, including election-related lists and a call center allegedly operating at the institution. He also accused managers of exerting political control over several administrative departments. These claims remain allegations.

The union’s complaint named PIO director Relja Ognjenović and unidentified individuals, alleging abuse of office and unauthorized, organized destruction of official records. It also asked authorities to examine claims that the fund had distributed a letter from Serbia’s president to pensioners and social-benefit recipients through the national postal service.

The Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office subsequently instructed the Interior Ministry’s anti-corruption service to collect information in response to two criminal complaints. Investigators were told to secure the bags of allegedly destroyed material, interview the people who recovered them and, if those responsible are identified, question them about what was destroyed, why and on whose orders. The requested information is due within 30 days.

Prosecutors also sought information from Serbia’s State Audit Institution on whether it reviewed the PIO Fund’s financial statements, operations and spending of public money since 2022. That request broadens the inquiry beyond the disputed papers to the fund’s use of state resources.

Dušan Dobromirov, a financial forensic expert, cautioned that shredding does not necessarily eliminate evidence. Each official act should leave entries in registries and archives, while transactions can also appear in suppliers’ records, banking systems, procurement databases and electronic invoices. “Digital forensics … shows who and when deleted” data, he said, adding that even torn paper can sometimes be reconstructed.

The investigation will now determine whether the recovered material supports the union’s claims or reflects routine disposal of records. No wrongdoing has been established against the PIO director or any other person.