Serbian lawyer and legal analyst Ivan Ninić has raised serious concerns regarding reports that Serbia’s embassy in Lisbon was allegedly used in 2020 as a safehouse for cocaine by a criminal group connected to former Montenegrin parliamentarian Milo Božović. Ninić emphasized that the implications extend far beyond local criminality, potentially involving senior political figures and exposing systemic vulnerabilities in Serbia’s diplomatic operations.
Skaj Messages as Operational Leads
According to investigations cited in Montenegrin media outlet Vijesti, the Serbian embassy in Portugal was allegedly used by the group for hiding cocaine, based on Skaj (encrypted messaging) exchanges between Božović and Ivan Mijatović in May 2020. While such exchanges alone do not constitute sufficient evidence for conviction, Ninić argues they provide actionable intelligence that should be investigated further by Serbian security services.
“Skaj messages as published are not enough for a criminal conviction, but they constitute an indication that must be thoroughly examined by security agencies,” Ninić said.
Legal Validity and International Cooperation
Ninić pointed out that Skaj communications have already been recognized as valid evidence in certain legal contexts, notably in the case of former SBPOK inspector Božidar Stolić, under conditions approved by the European Court of Justice.
“Through international legal cooperation with Belgium and France, Skaj material collected lawfully can be used in Serbian courts and by Serbian prosecutors. The issue now is political will, not the availability of intelligence,” he explained.
Diplomatic and Security Concerns
Beyond criminal law, Ninić stressed that using diplomatic facilities for such purposes violates the spirit of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, regardless of the extraterritorial privileges of embassies. Such practices risk undermining Serbia’s credibility with international partners and could jeopardize intelligence-sharing and collaborative operations across Europe.
“This situation projects an image to the world in which Serbia’s highest political and state leadership is perceived as being part of a broader narco-cartel threatening modern security concepts in Europe and globally,” Ninić said.
Political Implications
According to Ninić, it is highly unlikely that the Serbian state was unaware of these activities. He noted that Serbian authorities had access to Skaj communications from Belgium and France since 2020, implying that the issue may stem from a lack of political initiative rather than an absence of information.
“The real problem is that the state leadership has enabled logistics within its diplomatic missions that facilitate narcotics trafficking, appointing ambassadors willing to serve as a shield for such operations in EU member states,” Ninić warned.
International Repercussions
Ninić also highlighted the broader consequences for Serbia’s international standing:
- Loss of trust among European and global partners
- Potential reduction in cooperation on joint anti-crime and intelligence operations
- Erosion of Serbia’s credibility in law enforcement and diplomatic channels
The Way Forward
While the published Skaj material is insufficient for a judicial conviction, it should serve as a starting point for a comprehensive investigation by Serbian security and law enforcement agencies, ensuring accountability at all levels. Ninić’s warnings underline the importance of transparent state action to prevent diplomatic channels from being misused and to maintain Serbia’s international reputation and security obligations.
