On Oct. 27, Serbia’s Danas newspaper, citing a source close to the government, reported about the deportation of Russian nationals. Serbia did not refute the report which coincided with the sudden visit to Belgrade Oct. 26 by Nikolai Patrushev who had closed-door talks with the country’s leadership. The purpose of the visit was called a preparation to the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the field of security. However, Serbian experts claimed that the real purpose of the visit was discuss the situation in order to prevent a possible diplomatic scandal between Russia and Serbia.
Serbian authorities, according to sources, were also disinterested in fomenting the tension, but given the country’s plan to join the European Union they did not want to be suspected of involvement in criminal acts in the neighboring country.
20 Serbian citizens were detained on Oct.16 on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in Montenegro. According to investigators, they were planning to open fire at oppositionists during their rally in a bid to drive them to capture Montenegro’s parliament. Serbian PM Aleksandar Vučić confirmed the information, noting Serbian law enforcement agencies have identified a few more dangerous groups involved in carrying out the plan. These groups are backed by extremely serious figures. He said the detainees were operating in coordination with foreigners but did not name any country.
It should be noted that Montenegro is on the brink of becoming a NATO member, a move Russia is opposed to.
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