Serbian environmentalists file a lawsuit against Linglong

Serbian environmentalists have filed a lawsuit against Chinese tire manufacturer Linglong International Europe for carrying out construction work on a factory site without permission. The Renewable Energy and Environmental Regulation Institute (RERI) has also brought charges against China Energy Engineering Group contractor Tianjin Electric Power Construction and private investment firm CRE International Ltd of Belgrade.

The Linglong tire plant project in Zrenjanin, Serbia has long been the subject of an ongoing dispute between local authorities and environmentalists who allege gross irregularities in the approval process for the € 800 million plant project.

In its new lawsuit, RERI claims that an inspection of the plant site in July revealed that the Chinese tire manufacturer was "performing construction work in defiance of a building permit." According to environmentalists, the investor was ordered to suspend work and amend the building permit.

RERI also stated that Linglong began construction work without undertaking an environmental impact assessment, and that the city of Zrenyanin “illegally obstructed” residents from participating in public hearings regarding the plant's environmental impact.

Linglong has not yet been available for comment.