Belgrade,  June 4, 2022

PUBLIC STATEMENT

REGARDING THE SILENCE ABOUT SPIES

Forum for Security and Democracy reminds and warns that a week has passed since astonishing allegations have been made at the anti-war protest organized by the informal group “Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Serbs Together Against War” that was held on May 28th, 2022 regarding the presence of numerous Russian secret agents and operatives in Serbia and their infiltration in key government institutions, all the way to the very top. These allegations were relayed by electronic and written media and later social networks.

Forum for Security and Democracy notes that these claims which are without precedent in Serbia’s modern history have been bereft of any further reactions or any sort of response and have been glossed over by government structures and civil society organizations as well as the media. To our great surprise, we also note that on the very next day after the protest the media have passed on the opportunity to ask the head of the secret service (BIA) Bratislav Gasic, the one person that should be most qualified to answer such sensational and alarming accusations before answering any other question, to give any comment the claims made at the protest.

Forum for Security and Democracy underscores that, in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, and especially in consideration of the current political turmoil and public disputes regarding that war in Serbia, ignoring such serious security accusations and claims, which is has been going on for almost seven days now, is exceedingly dangerous and damaging for Serbia’s international reputation, especially ahead of the scheduled high profile visits by foreign officials which are taking place next week, and that silence on this issue undermines the perception of the level of domestic security and stability in the country.

Forum for Security and Democracy expects a swift response from all implicated and competent government institutions regarding said claims that will remove any shadow of a doubt concerning their work which is, in the current political moment, a burden that they cannot bear.