A Serbian prosecutor involved in investigating authorities’ handling of a Trump hotel and tower project in Belgrade has been identified as a target of advanced spyware, according to digital forensics experts. Rade Bajić, a member of a specialized organized-crime unit, stated he believes his involvement in the case was the reason for the attack. Analysts at Citizen Lab, a digital forensics laboratory, determined the targeting represents a likely use of mercenary-grade spyware, though they have not yet established responsibility for the attack.
The spyware incident comes in the context of a significant criminal case against senior members of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s government. Prosecutors brought an indictment accusing regime officials of abusing their authority to strip the General Staff building—a protected historical monument—of its legal protections so the property could be transferred for a $500 million Trump development project. Vučić has confirmed involvement in facilitating the arrangement with Trump family members, including Jared Kushner, who led the Belgrade development effort. Kushner subsequently abandoned the project after the charges became public.
Bajić was removed from the case without explanation shortly before the indictment was issued. In August, he received notification from Apple indicating his iPhone had been targeted by a “targeted mercenary attack.” Citizen Lab researchers analyzing his device characterized the incident as a high-confidence indicator of infection with advanced spyware such as Pegasus, an Israeli-developed surveillance tool documented by the Guardian’s Pegasus Project as having been used against journalists, activists, and political figures globally.
The case represents what is believed to be the first criminal prosecution related to the Trump family’s international business activities. Vučić, who recently stepped down as president and called snap elections, has denied wrongdoing, stating he acted in his nation’s interest. Trump representatives and Kushner have denied engaging in any improper “pay to play” arrangements and stated they were not involved in the Serbian government’s decision regarding the building’s protected status.
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