"Many Serbs see the old headquarters, which were damaged in a 1999 Nato bombing campaign during the Kosovo conflict, as a tribute to those who died and a monument to Yugoslav-era modernist architecture, and they opposed the signing of a 99-year lease deal with Affinity Global Development last year. Map of Belgrade We came here to raise our voice against the law, said Teodora Smiljanic, a 48-year-old protester. By passing this law he [Vucic] is aiming to please Trump and curry favour."
"We are giving the land, and they are providing an investment of at least 650, euros ($753m), a huge investment for our country, he told pro-government broadcaster Pink TV, stressing it was not a sale but a long-term lease. This will increase the value of everything in Belgrade, further attract tourists it will be worth over one billion euros right away."
Thousands protested a government plan to demolish Belgrade's former Yugoslav army headquarters to build a luxury hotel, apartments, shops, and offices linked to Jared Kushner's Affinity Global Development. Lawmakers approved legislation to speed administrative procedures and the government stripped the compound of protected cultural heritage status. Many Serbs regard the damaged 1999 NATO-bombed headquarters as a memorial and an example of Yugoslav-era modernist architecture and opposed a 99-year lease signed last year. Critics call the move unconstitutional and accuse President Aleksandar Vucic of seeking favor with the US. The government says the project brings at least 650 million euros and will boost Belgrade's value and tourism. The protests add to wider anti-government pressure after a fatal railway station roof collapse last year killed 16 people.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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