Serbia bans Montenegrin journalists Petar Komnenic and Vuk Maras

Serbian border authorities issued entry bans for Montenegrin journalist Petar Komnenic and BIRN executive director Vuk Maras in late June and early July. Komnenic learned of the restriction while leaving Serbia on 30 June, and Maras was detained for about 90 minutes at the airport before receiving a similar decision. Both officials say the measures are retaliation for their criticism of media freedom in Serbia and are linked to Serbia’s announced “reciprocal measures” after Montenegro barred Serbian tabloid editor Dragana J. Vučićević on 26 June for anti‑Serbian remarks.

The SafeJournalists network called the bans “serious concern,” demanding that Serbian authorities provide detailed legal justifications, disclose any other journalists affected, and immediately lift the restrictions. The network warned that using journalists as bargaining chips undermines press freedom and escalates political tension between the two neighbouring states.