Serbian lawmakers have approved the construction of a luxury Trump hotel on the site of a historic WWII memorial in Belgrade, Serbia, despite a fraud investigation into officials who endorsed the project. The former General Staff military complex in Belgrade was devastated by NATO airstrikes in 1999, making the location a symbol of national remembrance.
Parliament used an extraordinary provision in the Constitution to push the plans through, allowing the development to proceed even as investigators examine potential misconduct among the officials who backed the initiative. This move has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing that the site’s historical significance should not be compromised for commercial interests.
The project’s approval comes amid ongoing legal challenges and public outcry over the potential desecration of a memorial site. Advocacy groups and historians have expressed concerns about the commercialization of a space that represents a pivotal moment in Serbia’s modern history. The decision has also drawn international attention, with many questioning the government’s prioritization of private development over historical preservation.