The United States has sanctioned Aleksandar Vulin, director of Serbia's security agency, for allegedly using his position to further Russian and criminal agendas, including arms dealing and drug trafficking.
The sanctions come after months of protests in Belgrade that have demanded Vulin’s resignation. The protests began in May following two mass shootings that left 18 dead, including nine elementary students. Protesters have specifically blamed Vulin, Serbia's former defense minister, for failing to bring criminal groups to justice.
The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) made no mention of the protests or the domestic controversy surrounding Vulin in its sanctions announcement on July 11. However, the OFAC took a clear stance against corruption and Vulin’s alleged actions, which the Treasury Department said helped Russia.
“Treasury will not hesitate to target actors that abuse their positions for personal gain while undermining effective and democratic governance in the Western Balkans,” said Brian Nelson, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a statement. “Today’s action holds accountable Aleksandar Vulin for his corrupt and destabilizing acts that have also facilitated Russia’s malign activities in the region.”
The statement accuses Vulin of misusing his public office and says he has been implicated in transnational organized crime and illegal narcotics operations. The statement specifically points to Vulin’s collaboration with U.S.-designated Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic, who has been described by the Treasury Department as "among the biggest dealers of arms and munitions in the Balkans."
It also says Vulin has used his public position to support Russia and facilitate “malign activities that degrade the security and stability” of the region.
The Belgrade protests have also called for the resignation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the resignation of Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic. Vucic previously rejected the dismissal of Gasic but did not comment on Vulin.
Vucic told Reuters on June 9 that his administration was not at fault for the protesters' anger.
"Is the government to blame for crimes that happened? I cannot accept that,” he said.