United Group says D Express raid new attack on its businesses

“On the 16th of November, the Crime Suppression Service (UKP) in Serbia conducted a raid on the business premises of the courier service D Express, owned by United Group. This was done without any announcement, court order or explanation. Employees of D Express were unlawfully prevented from leaving the premises for almost seven hours,” the letter signed by United Group Vice President Corporate Affairs Alexandra Delvenakiotis said.

“D Express is a leading courier service in Serbia, bought by United Group in 2021. Along with other private courier services, it has been taking over shipments from the Post Office while operations have been suspended following a highly publicized strike from Post Office workers demanding better conditions. Over the past few days, pro-governmental tabloids have created a baseless smear campaign, blaming United Group and its founder, Dragan Šolak, for causing the postal strike to benefit D Express. D Express is just one of many courier services in Serbia, that does not benefit from these strikes, that happen regularly in Serbia, even before United Group acquired D Express, as they create a short-term work overload.

“In a recent TV appearance by President Vučić the tabloid smear campaign was backed-up by him, and instead of explaining why authorities unlawfully raided the business premises of D Express, he repeatedly insulted Mr. Šolak calling him a “criminal” and constantly accused him of wanting to “destroy state resources and companies”.

“This is just the most recent attack in an established policy directed by the government against United Group, its affiliates and business operations. It demonstrates the degradation of the independence of public institutions and the deterioration of the rule of law in Serbia.

“I want to request that you condemn the government for this blatant abuse of power and urge the Serbian authorities to stop abusing public institution to attack independent commercial entities and act in accordance with the law and the European standards to which they purportedly aspire,” the letter said.