According to reports from the “daily NewsThe persecution of Russian opposition activists in Serbia is becoming increasingly common. Serbia’s intensive cooperation with Russia could play a significant role in this. The focus of the reporting is the Russian Elena Koposowa, who moved to Serbia five years ago.
Russian activist forced to leave Serbia
In early February, Koposova received a message from the Serbian Interior Ministry saying she was “a threat to national security” and must leave the country within 30 days. Koposova has in the past signed a petition against Russia’s war of aggression and suspects that the Kremlin is behind her expulsion. She is just one of many Russian citizens in Serbia who were denied a residence permit for the same reason.
Russia targets opposition figures abroad
The Russian opposition organization Russian Democracy Society (RDS) believes that at least 13 similar cases are known. She sees this as an attempt by Russia to intimidate the opposition abroad. The founder of the RDS, Peter Nikitin, believes that this intimidation is intended to prevent a movement of exiled Russians against the Russian regime.
Even though Serbia is considered a candidate for EU membership, the country is proving to be a reliable partner for Russia. It has not yet joined Western sanctions against Russia and continues to source much of its gas from Russia.
Serbia passes on intercepted conversations of Russian journalists
The Tagesschau also reports on the case of Russian journalist Vladimir Kara-Mursa, who was spied on by Serbian secret services and whose intercepted conversations were passed on to Russian authorities. Aleksandra Tomanic, head of the European Fund for the Balkans, attributes this cooperation to an agreement between Serbia and Russia to combat color revolutions.
The number of Russian exiles in Serbia willing to protest against the Russian regime is increasing. In order to prevent this, cases like those against Koposowa are being initiated more and more frequently. She has now challenged the Interior Ministry’s decision in court.