Anti-War Russian Activist Faces Troubles at Belgrade Airport

The lengthy ordeal of a Russian anti-war activist, Peter Nikitin, at the Serbian border raises concerns for other Kremlin critics residing in Serbia, according to independent Serbian and Russian analysts. Nikitin, who has organized protests against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, was denied entry into Serbia and held in the transit zone of Belgrade's airport for over 24 hours before finally being allowed through passport control. This incident, the first of its kind in Serbia since over 100,000 Russians opposed to the war moved there, sends a troubling signal to Nikitin and fellow activists. Analysts suggest that the Serbian leadership and security services may take legal action against any Russian citizen whose activism displeases Moscow, potentially at the request of the Kremlin or Russia's security services.