Stenkovec landowners accuse state of forced expropriation, say market price €130–180/m²
Owners say authorities sent heavy machinery, allege procedural irregularities and demand fair compensation for land on Corridors 8 and 10.
Landowners in Stenkovec (Čair municipality) say the state has begun what they describe as a forced expropriation of private plots by bringing heavy construction machinery and surveyors onto the site.
They report that the action is being carried out even though the owners have already initiated administrative disputes at the Administrative Court and have notified an international accountability mechanism. According to the group, the contested parcels lie at a strategic junction linking Pan‑European Corridors 8 and 10.
Claims on valuation and procedure
The owners estimate the market value of the land at between 130 and 180 euros per square metre, while they say the state is offering compensation of 1,200 denars, i.e. about 20 euros per square metre. A board representing 53 affected proprietors has filed administrative appeals at the Administrative Court and reported the matter to IPAM, the mechanism for accountability of international financial institutions.
They allege a number of procedural irregularities. In particular, they claim the Agency for Property‑Legal Affairs — Čair Regional Department relied on a 2014 decision to set the price, and that suspicious SWIFT transactions with concealed or deleted dates were used to justify a lower valuation.
Owners also warn that no compensation has been foreseen for protective belts and enclaves, and that the remaining parcels will be left without an access road and therefore largely unusable. They stress they are not opposed to the construction of the state corridors but demand a fair valuation and adequate compensation for taken land.
They further say the Ministry of Interior refused permission for a planned protest, citing Article 2‑a, and were reportedly told participants could face fines of 500 euros and criminal charges. For tomorrow, Saturday, the owners have announced a gathering on site in Stenkovec and have invited media to attend and report on the case.
Photo: press material from the event
