Montenegro has deported 87 Serbian citizens and issued permanent entry bans against them, citing significant national security concerns ahead of a regional summit attended by EU representatives.
Security threat intercepted
The individuals arrived in Montenegro on Wednesday. Authorities immediately ordered their return to Serbia and prohibited them from entering the country in the future, targeting 87 Serbian nationals in total.
Montenegrin police and the National Security Agency stated that these individuals posed a threat to internal and national security. Officials reported that intelligence gathered indicated the group’s presence would undermine a stable security environment.
Allegations of informal security duties
Police described the deported group as people involved in numerous public gatherings characterized by high security risks. Media reports suggest the men, some with criminal records, arrived from Belgrade to provide “informal security” for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić during a meeting of regional leaders.
The group reportedly carried communication equipment and banners featuring the slogan “Serbia Wins,” which is associated with Vučić and his political camp.
Political accusations of hybrid operations
Nikola Zirojević, chairman of the Montenegrin parliamentary security committee, characterized the incident as a hybrid operation intended to provoke unrest and damage Montenegro’s reputation as a host for the EU summit.
Zirojević claimed that the passengers were linked to the authorities in Belgrade and performed “dirty work” for Vučić. He further alleged that these individuals had previously been involved in suppressing protests within Serbia.