SERBIAN folk music queen Ceca Raznatovic

SERBIAN folk music queen Ceca Raznatovic pleaded guilty to embezzling millions in exchange for a lenient sentence, prosecutors said Tuesday, bringing to an end a legal soap opera that has transfixed the country.

The singer — real name Svetlana Raznatovic — struck a plea bargain with state prosecutors by pleading guilty in a sale of soccer players from her late husband’s club. In return, she will spend one year under house arrest and pay a $2.2 million fine, the largest ever imposed in Serbia

The star was charged with embezzling about $5.8 million during player sales to foreign clubs and faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted. A Belgrade court still has to formally approve the plea bargain.

Ceca has for years evaded legal prosecution thanks to the support of current and former Serbian political leaders who consider her untouchable because of her huge popularity.

Prosecution spokesman Tomo Zoric defended the bargain, saying the fine will be the largest ever paid in Serbia.

“We are talking about cash, not real estate, which will benefit all the Serbs and will be used for (building) hospitals and schools,” Zoric said.