'Businessman gets 47m for Belgrade airport land, cooperates with lawyer whose firm advised on deal. (120 characters)'

New information raises questions about the connection between a Serbian businessman who made millions selling land around Belgrade airport and a Portuguese former minister whose law firm advised on the airport deal.

Main findings

After receiving approval to expand Belgrade airport, French construction giant Vinci bought adjacent land from controversial Serbian businessman Stanko Subotic for 47 million euros - more than four times what an internal government valuation had suggested.

The following year, Subotić became a business partner of former Portuguese minister Jose Luiz Arnaut in a newly founded real estate company. Arnaut, whose''s law firm advised the Serbian government on the airport deal, initially denied any business dealings with Subotić linked to organized crime, but later admitted his involvement in the company.

Vinci has paid 47 million euros for Subotić's land acquired for the airport expansion.

The Serbian authorities sought advice from Portuguese firm CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut on the state airport issue, then CMS Rui Pena & Arnaut advised Vinci in Portugal.

Vinci paid €47 million for Subotic's land, double the value estimated by the firm itself''airport. It is noted that this deal raises suspicions about the connection between Subotić, the Serbian government and the law firm. It is unclear if Vinci's company is connected to this deal or if they were in a situation where they could not choose.