The Public Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime in Serbia has announced the arrest of seven individuals on suspicion of committing crimes related to document forgery and conspiracy to commit criminal offenses.

The arrests took place under the directive of the prosecutor's office and in collaboration with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SBPOK).

The individuals arrested are identified as Z.R., Ž.M., R.I., D.G., S.P., N.S., and A.Ž.

The organized crime group is suspected of creating counterfeit documents, including diplomas, certificates, and transcripts, selling these forged documents to interested parties for amounts ranging from €300 to €1,500, depending on the quality and whether it is an individual document or a complete set.

Currently, searches are being conducted at multiple locations associated with the suspects.

Following the apprehensions, individuals are expected to be moved to the Public Prosecutor's Office for further questioning.

The criminal group is alleged to have operated from September 2023 to the present, targeting parties interested in acquiring fake documents and producing numerous the falsified certificates, confirmations, transcripts, and diplomas from educational institutions at a print shop in Belgrade.

The group reportedly generated unlawful profits exceeding 2 million dinars from these activities.

In a separate but related development, the Serbian government has announced significant mineral reserves estimated to be worth over €100 billion in the Majevica region.

Minister Radovan Višković indicated that aside from lithium, four to five additional types of minerals have been identified, although these estimates only account for approximately 50% of the area surveyed.

The presence of lithium resources in the region, particularly carbonates, has attracted attention due to their strategic importance in reducing the European Union's dependency on imports from countries such as China, which holds significant shares of the global rare earth elements market.

The international interest in these minerals has led companies like Arcore AG, based in Switzerland, to explore mining opportunities in the area further.

Reports suggest that the total mineral base at the Lopare project consists of 1.5 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, alongside substantial quantities of boric acid, potassium, and magnesium sulfate.

Simultaneously, financial results from six major banks in Serbia indicate net profits of €1.1 billion for 2024, reflecting a 30% increase compared to 2023. These profits have been primarily driven by interest income, which reached €1.64 billion, a figure that represents an 11% increase year-over-year.

The largest profits were reported by Raiffeisen Bank, followed by Intesa and OTP Bank.

Profitability within the banking sector appears resilient despite regulatory challenges such as the recent temporary cap on interest rates imposed by the National Bank of Serbia, aimed at consumer protection and financial stability.

The ongoing profitability in the banking sector suggests adaptability to the evolving economic landscape.