Secret Safe 555: How many of Tito's valuables were stolen?

On February 20, the Supreme Court of Serbia began dealing with the request for revision of previous proceedings in which, apparently, the question of who the things of the former Yugoslav president belong to has been put to rest. Josip Broz Tito.

This was confirmed for "Vreme" in the Supreme Court, with the addition that Zoran Hadžić was appointed as the reporter judge.

Thus continues the saga surrounding Tito's inheritance, which has lasted for more than four decades, since 1983, when the inheritance hearing was initiated, three years after Tito's death.

During this saga, which "Vreme" investigates in the new issue that hits newsstands on Thursday (April 11), numerous appeals were filed, decisions were made, laws were declared unconstitutional, and the matter is not over yet.

Not only are they waiting for the outcome Tito's heirs, but also the Karađorđević family, which relies on the restitution of some items that belonged to the royal family. But also the state and numerous museums that think that Tito's belongings belong to everyone.

Gold and other valuables

It is, in fact, about eleven sacks that have been stored for decades in safe deposit box number 555 in the National Bank of Serbia. Among them are gold bars and objects - about thirty kilograms of gold in total - decorations, silverware, cash...

The value is measured in millions of euros, although many items are unique and actually priceless.

The safe was opened once, in 2013, by order of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic. The Presidency of Serbia told "Vreme" that the topic has not been raised since then.

"Half of it has been stolen in the meantime, many things are missing," claims Josip Joška Broz, grandson of the former marshal, for "Vreme". His lawyer also believes that the proceedings are dragging on, and the safe is not being opened because many items have been looted.

Tito had no real estate

For now, the only thing that has been clarified is the issue of copyright over Tito's works, which long ago belonged to his late wife Jovanka Broz and children.

By the way, Josip Broz Tito had no personal real estate, although he used a large number of residences. Only the secret safe 555 remains.

Read Bojan Cvejić's great research in "Vremen" from Thursday (April 11). You can subscribe to the print or digital edition here.