U.S. sanctions top Serbian security official for actions that support Russia's 'malign activities'

The Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a top Serbian security official for his "corrupt and destabilizing acts" that led to support and assistance in Russia's "malign activities."

The department said in a statement that Aleksandar Vulin, director of Serbia’s intelligence agency, “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.”

Vulin became the Balkan state’s new spy chief in December, after serving as its interior and defense minister. As minister of the interior, Vulin visited Moscow in August after refusing to join the West in sanctioning Russia.

Treasury alleged that Vulin maintained a relationship with U.S.-designated Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic to ensure that Tesic’s illegal arms shipments “could move freely across Serbia’s borders.”

“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 of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, in the statement. “Today’s action holds accountable Aleksander Vulin for his corrupt and destabilizing acts that have also facilitated Russia’s malign activities in the region.”