Serbian leader attends EU summit despite assassination warnings

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic traveled to the coastal town of Tivat on Thursday to attend the EU-Western Balkans summit, disregarding warnings from his country's security services about potential assassination threats from organized crime networks operating in the region.

Encrypted networks revealed threats

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the gathering in the Adriatic resort town, Vucic said he decided to make the journey after extensive consultations with relevant institutions, noting that Serbian intelligence had intercepted communications suggesting criminal elements were actively seeking to carry out an attack against him. He referenced encrypted "Sky communications" — previously used by organized crime networks across the Balkans — where individuals allegedly discussed finding someone to carry out the assassination, adding that authorities had possessed this intelligence regarding Montenegrin criminal clan leaders for some time.

Political friction complicates security

The Serbian leader directly linked the security concerns to longstanding intelligence implicating leaders of Montenegrin criminal clans, while acknowledging that persistent political friction between Belgrade and Podgorica further complicated the security landscape and mutual trust. "When political tensions exist between Podgorica and Belgrade, everyone tends to blame the other side," Vucic said, urging greater rationality and caution in bilateral relations. He emphasized that organized criminal groups operate in every country throughout the region, and while such phenomena are not permitted, authorities must remain vigilant against their activities.

Elite unit deployed for protection

Despite explicit warnings issued by Serbia's Security Information Agency (BIA) regarding potential risks during his visit, Vucic expressed confidence in his personal safety while in Montenegro, citing protection from members of the Cobras — Belgrade's elite close-protection unit. The EU-Western Balkans summit brought together regional leaders and senior European Union officials to discuss enlargement prospects, regional economic connectivity, and shared security challenges across the Western Balkans. On the sidelines of the gathering, Vucic held bilateral meetings with European and regional counterparts, underscoring the importance of preserving stability and advancing the European integration aspirations of countries throughout the region.