Montenegro has banned 87 Serbian nationals from entering the country, citing security concerns ahead of a European Union summit with Western Balkan leaders. The individuals arrived on a charter flight from Serbia to the coastal town of Tivat on Wednesday.
Police stated that the Air Serbia plane was singled out as part of increased security checks for the summit, which will gather top EU and Balkan leaders on Friday. The men were found carrying communication equipment and banners reading 'Serbia wins', a campaign slogan used by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling party.
According to Montenegro's police and National Security Agency, security services identified these individuals as posing a risk to internal and national security. Some of the men have criminal records and have participated in high-risk public gatherings, authorities said.
Media reports suggest the group includes pro-government activists accused of attacking student demonstrators during protests against Vucic. Vucic is expected to attend the summit in Tivat, a resort on Montenegro's Adriatic coast.
The summit will focus on EU membership prospects for six Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. The EU has been encouraging reform in these candidate nations amid concerns over growing Russian and Chinese influence.
