OFAC sanctions Serbian intelligence chief for supporting Russia’s ‘malign activities’

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed sanctions on a Serbian security chief it accused of corruption and using his position to support Russia and facilitating its ‘malign activities’ in the Balkans.

In a notice in the Federal Registry, 24 July, OFAC said Aleksandar Vulin, head of the Serbian intelligence agency, was designated for acts that included ‘the misappropriation of public assets, expropriation of private assets for personal gain or political purposes, or bribery.’

It said in a separate notice that Vulin ‘has been implicated in transnational organised crime, illegal narcotics operations, and misuse of public office.’

‘He has used his public positions to support Russia, facilitating Russia’s malign activities that degrade the security and stability of the Western Balkans and providing Russia a platform to further its influence in the region,’ OFAC said.

Vulin has ‘maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with U.S.-designated Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic, helping ensure that Tesic’s illegal arms shipments can move freely across Serbia’s borders,’ OFAC said.

The United States, European Union and other allies have imposed similar sanctions on individuals or groups in the Balkans for pro-Russian ‘destabilising’ activities.