On the night of January 21–22, Serbian authorities detained and expelled 13 foreign nationals who were participating in a workshop for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) representing nine different countries. Citing these individuals as a "security threat," Serbia prohibited their entry into the country for one year. Among those expelled were two citizens of Albania, raising concerns and prompting reactions from various governments and organizations.
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| A Serbian state police car and a special forces policeman on the side |
Lack of Transparency
The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Security Information Agency have not provided specific details about the nature of the supposed "security threat" posed by the expelled individuals. Erste Foundation, one of the workshop organizers, expressed deep concern over the incident, noting that neither they nor the Vienna University of Economics and Business, another co-organizer, were informed about the reasons behind the expulsion.
“This incident is extremely concerning,” Erste Foundation stated. “We deeply regret that participants in our workshops had to endure such an experience and reiterate our commitment to civil society in Central and Eastern Europe.” The foundation also noted that it has organized similar programs since 2013, some of which were held in Belgrade without issues.
European Union and Regional Responses
The European Union voiced its disapproval, urging Serbia to adhere to European and international human rights standards. A spokesperson for the European Commission remarked, “We are concerned about the arrest and expulsion of peaceful civil society activists from EU member states and the Western Balkans. Civil society plays a vital role in building healthy democratic societies. These values are fundamental not only to the EU but also to Serbia’s future as an EU candidate country.”
The EU emphasized that security measures must align with both domestic and European legal frameworks, cautioning Serbia against actions that restrict individual freedoms, including those of foreign nationals.
Albania’s Diplomatic Action
Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs confirmed that two Albanian citizens, both civil society representatives, were among the expelled. The ministry summoned Serbia’s ambassador in Tirana, Slobodan Vukčević, to express serious concern over the incident.
“This action does not align with our efforts to maintain good neighborly relations and negatively impacts the free movement of our citizens,” the ministry stated. Albania called on Serbia to review and reconsider the expulsion decision to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The two Albanian participants, representatives of NGOs based in Tirana, described their detention as abrupt. They recounted being stopped by Serbian police while returning to their hotel, taken to a police station, and handed documents in Serbian notifying them of their expulsion and one-year entry ban.
Reactions from Neighboring Countries
Croatia also reacted strongly, as five of its citizens were expelled. Croatian authorities issued a protest note to Serbia and advised its citizens to avoid traveling there. Zagreb accused Serbian authorities and pro-government media of targeting students, journalists, and activists from Croatia, alleging they were organizing protests in Serbia.
Ana Kovačić, a Croatian participant, described being approached by plainclothes police officers in her hotel lobby and taken to a police station in an unmarked vehicle. “They said they were from the foreign police and asked us to wait in the lobby. We were taken three at a time to the Novi Beograd police station,” she recounted.
Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that one of its citizens was expelled, with no explanation provided by Serbian authorities.
Condemnation from Serbian Civil Society
A coalition of Serbian NGOs issued a joint statement condemning the expulsions, describing them as “fear-driven, illegal, and disgraceful.” They called on the Serbian government to apologize and overturn the expulsion orders.
“The cowardly and unlawful treatment of civil sector colleagues from neighboring countries is a dangerous attempt to reinforce narratives of foreign agents and mercenaries, designed to intimidate Serbian citizens,” the statement read.
Broader Context
The expulsions occurred against the backdrop of mass anti-government protests in Serbia, led by students who have blocked over 60 state universities. High-ranking Serbian officials, without providing evidence, have accused these protests of being orchestrated by Western intelligence agencies with the goal of overthrowing President Aleksandar Vučić. The protesting students have consistently denied these allegations.
Conclusion
The expulsions have raised serious questions about Serbia’s commitment to democratic values and human rights, particularly as it seeks EU membership. The incident has not only strained Serbia’s relations with neighboring countries but also drawn sharp criticism from the international community. Observers warn that actions undermining civil society and restricting freedoms could have long-term repercussions for Serbia’s democratic development and its aspirations for closer integration with Europe.