Russian Anti-War Activists Facing Expulsion from Serbia

In Rogaca, Serbia, Elena Koposova, a 54-year-old Russian woman and literature translator, is appealing an expulsion order from her newly adopted home state of Serbia. This comes after she signed an open letter against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and was subsequently declared a threat to Serbia's national security, leading to the revocation of her residency permit.

Backlash Against Anti-War Activists

Koposova's case is not an isolated one. Numerous Russian pro-democracy activists in Serbia have faced entry bans or had their residency permits revoked, with at least a dozen individuals affected. Additionally, several others are reluctant to speak out publicly about their legal challenges with the Serbian authorities, fearing further ramifications for themselves and their families.

Activists attribute these residency problems to the close relationship between Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vucic, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Serbia's formal bid to join the European Union. Vucic's refusal to partake in Western sanctions against Russia, coupled with the dissemination of Moscow propaganda in the Balkans, has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic values in the country.

Despite these developments, Serbian officials have refrained from commenting on the reported cases involving Russian citizens. The Interior Ministry has not responded to requests for an interview or comment on the issue, leaving the affected individuals in a precarious situation.

The Fear and Intimidation Tactics

Anti-war activists like Peter Nikitin, a co-founder of the Russian Democratic Society, believe that the measures taken against them are orchestrated under direct orders from Moscow, aimed at intimidating and silencing dissenting voices. The targeting of individuals who have spoken out against the war in Ukraine and advocated for political prisoners in Russia reflects a broader effort to stifle opposition and instill fear within the activist community.

For Koposova and her family, the expulsion order has thrown their lives into disarray. With their ties to Russia severed and the prospect of her husband being conscripted into the army to fight in Ukraine, they face an uncertain future in Serbia. The looming threat of losing their home and livelihood underscores the human toll of the crackdown on anti-war activists in the country.