Serbian authorities have denied an extension of the temporary residence permit of Russian anti-war activist Vladimir Volokhonsky less than two weeks after temporarily denying entry to Peter Nikitin, the Russian national with whom Volokhonsky helped establish the nongovernmental organization Russian Democratic Society.
The Russian Democratic Society -- a Russian expat association that has grown to tens of thousands of people since Russia invaded Ukraine -- said that Volokhonsky, who arrived from St. Petersburg in May last year and was granted a temporary residence permit, was informed of the decision on July 25.
Volokhonsky told RFE/RL's Balkan Service that the decision not to extend his residence permit is "a form of political pressure."
"Since my activities, like all the activities of the Russian Democratic Society, are completely public and legal, I see no reason to consider ourselves a threat to the security of the state in any way," he said.
An opposition councilor in St. Petersburg, Volokhonsky left Russia in March last year after he was taken into custody and his home was searched following his public opposition to Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
Serbia's Internal Affairs Ministry and the Security Intelligence Agency did not respond to an inquiry by RFE/RL over why Volokhonsky was denied the extension.
Volokhonsky has been threatened along with other opponents of the Kremlin's policies and its war in Ukraine.
He was targeted on Telegram by the Russian extreme right-wing organization Russian-Serbian Center Eagles based in St. Petersburg.
According to RFE/RL research, the group has links with right-wing parties in Serbia.
Anti-war activists from a group called Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Serbs together against The War said they have sent a public request to police to reverse the decision against Volokhonsky.
"Vladimir Volokhonsky's return to Russia would certainly mean his arrest and long-term imprisonment in labor camps, as all opponents of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's regime go through the same process," the group said.
The Russian Democratic Society, which has been threatened with expulsion from Serbia in the past, said the refusal to grant Volokhonsky an extension for his stay represents "a continuation of illegal pressure on the Russian anti-war community in Serbia."
Less than two weeks ago, Nikitin was denied entry to Serbia and held for two days at Belgrade's international airport even though he has a valid long-term resident's permit, is married to a Serb, and has two children who were born in Serbia. He was eventually allowed entry into the country on July 14.
Volokhonsky said that some Serbian officials are "damaging Serbia" with the move and making it appear to be "an unsafe country where rights are not protected, and resettlement is not wise."
"But I am convinced that this is not the case. I will stay here for a month, and then maybe I will leave the country. Of course, returning to Russia is not an option, because I will be arrested there," Volokhonsky said.