[JURIST] The special court for organized crime in Serbia [JURIST news archive] Monday began a trial for 35 members of the so-called "Bankruptcy Mafia" – including former Belgrade Commercial Court [official website] president Goran Kljajevic and other prominent businessmen, bankers, lawyers, and judges – accused of embezzling funds and used the government to secure financial gain. The defendants were indicted [Southeast European Times report] October 12 on charges of bribery, criminal conspiracy, and abuse of power. AP has more.

The same Serbian court is currently presiding over the trial of 13 suspects charged with the March 2003 assassination [JURIST report] of former Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic [BBC obituary; memorial website]. The Belgrade District Court [official website] named a new presiding judge [JURIST report] for the trial in September.