US Imposes Sanctions on Head of Serbian Intelligence for Ties to Russia

The director of the Serbian intelligence service BIA and close associate of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Aleksandar Vulin, has been sanctioned by the United States, according to Index.

The United States accuses him of involvement in organized crime and drug trafficking. Additionally, he abused his position of authority to assist arms dealer Slobodan Tešić in facilitating the illicit arms shipments across Serbia's borders and providing Russia with a "platform for further, detrimental influence in the region."

The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury announced that it imposed sanctions on a Serbian national pursuant to Executive Order 14033. According to the statement, Aleksandar Vulin is involved in transnational organized crime, illicit narcotics operations, and abuse of his position of authority. It is noted that Vulin maintained "mutually beneficial relations with Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tešić."

Vulin has used his positions for personal gain and utilized his government positions to support Russia, enabling Russian malign activities that undermine security and stability in the Western Balkans and providing Russia with a platform for further influence in the region. Vulin currently serves as the director of the BIA and previously held positions as Minister of Defense and Minister of Internal Affairs.

"Today's action holds Aleksandar Vulin accountable for his corrupt and destabilizing actions, which also facilitated Russia's malign activities in the region," stated Brian E. Nelson of the Department of the Treasury.

Under the sanctions, Vulin's assets that may be within the United States are frozen, and US citizens, as well as American companies, institutions, and banks operating in the US, are prohibited from engaging in any transactions related to Vulin.

The US Embassy in Serbia emphasized on its official Twitter account that this action is not directed against any institution of the Republic of Serbia.

"This action is not directed against any institution of the Republic of Serbia. The US remains steadfast in its efforts to expose those involved in corrupt and destabilizing activities that undermine the rule of law in the Western Balkans and deepen Russia's malign influence in the region," the statement read.