Highway mafia members sentenced to 131 years in prison in Serbia
11/11/2009
BELGRADE, Serbia -- A Belgrade Court sentenced 41 members of the so-called highway mafia to a total of 131 years in prison on Wednesday (November 11th). They were accused of causing losses of 6.5m euros to the state budget through toll fee embezzlements committed from 2004-2006. A total of 53 people were charged as part of the case. Nine of the defendants were acquitted, while three committed suicide in the course of the investigation. The trial began in May 2007. (RTS, B92, Beta - 11/11/09)