Serbian Socialist Movement leader Aleksandar Vulin has accused authorities of attempting to settle political scores with him after an Air Serbia flight bound for Moscow was forced to return to Belgrade because of additional security checks involving one passenger.
Speaking live to pro-government television channel Informer from Belgrade Airport on Tuesday evening, Vulin denied reports that he had been returned because he had failed to pass security screening, describing the incident as a politically motivated action.
“Everything is a lie, an act of harassment and an attempt to prove to the new authorities how ready they are here at the airport to defend their ideology,” Vulin said.
He claimed that the incident had disrupted the plans of numerous passengers and accused airport security officials of using the situation to target him.
Vulin also insisted that his trip to Moscow was official rather than private, saying he intended to discuss extending Serbia’s gas supply agreement with Russia.
“I am completely calm. I know that I have done nothing wrong. I was not going to Moscow as a tourist; I was going on official business. I am going there to fight for the extension of our gas arrangement, not for myself or you, but for all citizens of Serbia,” he said.
Vulin describes unexpected return to Belgrade
Vulin recounted that he had been asleep during the flight when he was informed that the aircraft had returned to Belgrade.
“We simply woke up. To be honest, I had fallen asleep. I was sleeping on the plane, and when I woke up, they told me: ‘You are in Belgrade.’ I asked, ‘How can we be in Belgrade?’” he said.
After disembarking, he noticed police officers and special police units gathered at the airport. He said he asked them whether they had come for him, but they told him they had not.
Vulin said he then underwent another security procedure alongside the other passengers, followed by an additional individual check. At the time of his statement, he was waiting for passengers to be allowed to board again.
He expressed hope that the flight would soon continue to Moscow.
Bajatović says all passengers and luggage were checked
The aircraft, operating as Air Serbia flight JU134 from Belgrade to Moscow, also carried Srbijagas Director Dušan Bajatović and Serbian People’s Party leader Nenad Popović, according to reports.
Speaking to N1, Bajatović said passengers were informed after landing in Belgrade that a new security procedure was required. All passengers and their luggage underwent detailed checks, he said.
He estimated that around 150 people were on board, most of them Russian citizens.
“We were told officially that the aircraft had returned because of security procedures. After landing in Belgrade, we were informed that we had to undergo an entirely new procedure. Everyone’s luggage was thoroughly checked, without any specific explanation beyond the fact that it was required under the procedures,” Bajatović said.
He added that he could not confirm reports that Vulin had failed to undergo the required security screening before boarding the aircraft.
Bajatović also said he did not know why Vulin and Popović were traveling to Moscow.
He explained that his own visit was related to Serbia’s gas supply arrangements and payment difficulties following the situation involving Alta Bank.
According to Bajatović, Serbia needs to negotiate additional gas quantities, greater flexibility in supply arrangements and payment mechanisms ahead of the winter season.
He said the problems involving Alta Bank had disrupted some payment channels, particularly those used for payments between Russian and Serbian entities, while Srbijagas generally relies on Western correspondent banks for international transactions.
Bajatović said he expected to see Vulin on the aircraft if the Serbian politician still intended to continue his journey.
Reports raise questions about security procedures
According to Nova.rs, Vulin had managed to board the aircraft despite allegedly not completing the required security screening. The outlet reported that someone may have helped him board without undergoing the full procedure.
Nova.rs also reported that the decision to return the aircraft was issued by Milan Kuč, director of corporate security at Belgrade Airport and a former member of the Kobra military security unit.
The outlet’s sources said Kuč had noticed through airport surveillance footage that security procedures had not been properly completed.
The Airbus A320 departed Belgrade at 6:48 p.m. on Tuesday and was reportedly turned back after reaching Lithuanian airspace.
Air Serbia confirmed that flight JU134 had returned to Belgrade after the company received information from the relevant airport authorities requiring additional security checks concerning one passenger.
The airline did not identify the passenger or disclose the specific reason for the additional checks.
It said the decision to return the aircraft had been made in accordance with instructions from the competent authorities and applicable security regulations.
“Air Serbia’s crew acted fully in accordance with established procedures and the highest security standards,” the company said, adding that passenger and baggage screening falls under the responsibility of the airport security system and the relevant authorities.
Flight eventually continues to Moscow
Nova.rs later reported that the same aircraft eventually departed for Moscow and landed there on Wednesday morning, approximately seven hours behind schedule.
According to Petar Vojinović, editor of the aviation news portal Tango Six, the flight continued with a replacement crew because of working-time regulations, while the passengers remained on board for the onward journey.
The incident has raised questions about how the original boarding and security procedures were handled. However, Air Serbia has not publicly confirmed the identity of the passenger whose additional screening prompted the aircraft’s return.
