Montenegro has deported approximately 90 Serbian nationals ahead of the European Union–Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, describing the group as a potential security risk.
According to Montenegrin police, the men arrived on a charter flight from Belgrade on June 3 but were denied entry and returned to Serbia after security checks at Tivat Airport.
While Serbian authorities have remained silent on the incident, an investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty identified several individuals within the group as supporters of the ruling Aleksandar Vučić and members of the Serbian Progressive Party. Some of those identified have previously been accused of involvement in attacks against anti-government protesters in Serbia.
Montenegrin media described the group as an “unofficial security detail” for Vučić ahead of his expected visit to Tivat for the summit. Although authorities did not officially confirm that claim, police stated that the deported individuals were “persons of security interest” who had participated in numerous high-risk public gatherings and that some had records involving criminal offenses and violent incidents.
Among those reportedly identified were individuals linked to previous attacks on protesters and activists in Serbia, including people who have faced criminal proceedings or were publicly accused of violence during anti-government demonstrations.
Montenegrin police also confiscated a large banner reading “Serbia Wins,” a slogan frequently used by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party at political rallies. In addition, authorities seized communication equipment, including a remote communication device and a marine radio station, as well as two buses believed to have been intended for transporting the group within Montenegro.
Neither the Serbian Presidency, the Interior Ministry, the Foreign Ministry, nor Serbia’s Security Information Agency commented on the incident. The ruling SNS party also did not respond to questions regarding whether members or supporters of the party were among those deported.
Montenegrin authorities announced that the individuals will be barred from entering and staying in Montenegro in the future. Security services further stated that they would act against any attempts at destabilization and continue investigating potential links between criminal groups and foreign actors seeking to undermine state stability.
The deportations come amid recent tensions between Belgrade and Podgorica. Earlier, President Vučić accused Montenegro of allowing criminal groups to influence developments in Serbia, allegations that Montenegro’s Foreign Ministry described as politically irresponsible.
The EU–Western Balkans Summit, scheduled for June 5 in Tivat, will bring together leaders of the 27 European Union member states and the six Western Balkan countries. Alongside Montenegro as host, representatives from Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia are expected to participate.
