Goran Knežević

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Goran Knežević (Serbian Cyrillic Горан Кнежевић) (born 12 May 1957 in Banatski Karlovac) is a Serbian former professional basketball player and current politician. He was a mayor of Zrenjanin municipality 2004-2009.

[edit] Biography

He was born in Banatski Karlovac. He graduated from the University of Belgrade with a diploma in economics. He used to be a basketball player in KK Partizan, KK Vojvodina and KK Proleter. In season 1978/79 he won championship of Yugoslavia with his team, Partizan. Also, he used to be a president of Basketball Association of Serbia and Montenegro in a short period (2005-2006).

Goran Knežević is member of Democratic party and became mayor of Zrenjanin municipality in 2004, re-elected in 2008.

He was arrested on October 1, 2008 by Serbian police on suspicion that he was involved in "construction mafia" - helping individuals from organized crime circles launder money by investing it in construction and real-estate development. He is still in custody.^[1]

On April 1, 2009 the D.S. Mayor was charged with Abuse of Office. The Special Prosecution states that the Zrenjanin municipal budget suffered damages to the tune of EUR 1.6mn, as a result.[1]

On April 23, 2009 he was resolved as a mayor, since he is in custody since October 1, 2008.