The German Foreign Office described the situation in Serbia as “concerning,” noting that activists face attacks for raising their voices.

“The situation in Serbia remains deeply concerning: Activists face attacks and smear campaigns for raising their voices. Media and politicians need to act responsibly. Serbia is an EU candidate, and as such, we expect it to uphold the rule of law and human rights,” the German Foreign Office said in a post on the X social media platform.

The weekly Radar has reported that the Administration for the Prevention of Money Laundering has begun investigating the bank accounts of individuals from NGOs, environmental organizations, and civic groups. The basis for these investigations remains unclear. The Administration has said that the process was initiated at the request of another government agency, but has not specified which criminal offence is being investigated.

Serbian ministry responds

The Serbian Foreign Affairs Ministry responded to the German ministry’s assessment that the situation in Serbia is “deeply concerning,” stating that “Serbia has a vibrant and diverse political and media landscape where differing opinions can be expressed freely.”

In its response, also published on X, the Serbian ministry emphasized that “Serbia remains fully committed to upholding democratic values, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights, as fundamental principles of our society and our European path.”

The Serbian ministry also rejected accusations of “smear campaigns.”

“We categorically reject any generalized accusations that fail to take into account the full context of political and media dynamics in Serbia. Any concerns should be addressed through constructive dialogue and based on verifiable facts, rather than unsubstantiated claims,” the Serbian Foreign Affairs Ministry told Berlin.

It emphasized that “Serbia expects all of its partners, including Germany, to approach such matters with due respect for Serbia’s sovereignty and democratic institutions.”

“As a candidate country for EU membership, Serbia remains committed to fulfilling its obligations, but it also expects fairness and mutual respect in the discourse on these important issues,” said the Serbian ministry.