Serbia Arrests 11 Accused of Stirring Hate in France and Germany
Serbian authorities have apprehended 11 individuals in connection with hate-motivated crimes perpetrated in France and Germany. These acts included the desecration of Jewish sites and the placement of pigs' heads near mosques, according to a statement released on Monday.
Details of the Arrests and Allegations
The Interior Ministry revealed that a twelfth suspect, who is currently at large, is accused of training the group under "the instructions of a foreign intelligence service." The nationality of this individual was not disclosed in the statement. The alleged motive behind these actions was "to spread ideas advocating and inciting hatred, discrimination and violence based on differences."
Focus on Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Acts
France has recently launched multiple investigations into acts of vandalism potentially linked to foreign interference. Many observers have suggested possible involvement from Moscow. The attacks have often targeted Jewish and Muslim communities, which is especially concerning given heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
In early September, nine pigs' heads were discovered outside mosques in Paris and its surrounding area. Pigs are considered impure in Islam, and this act sparked outrage and increased concerns about growing anti-Muslim sentiment.
Specific Acts of Vandalism
Between April and September, the group allegedly carried out numerous attacks in Paris and its vicinity. These included throwing green paint on the Holocaust Museum, several synagogues, and a Jewish restaurant. The group also allegedly posted stickers containing "genocidal" content and left pig heads near Muslim religious sites, some tagged with the name of French President Emmanuel Macron.
In Germany, "concrete skeletons" inscribed with messages were left at the iconic Brandenburg Gate.
Context of Rising Tensions
France has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel and the United States, as well as a significant Muslim community with sympathies for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Several EU nations have reported increased levels of both anti-Muslim hatred and antisemitism since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, according to the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Legal Proceedings and Espionage Concerns
The arrested individuals are expected to face the prosecutor on charges including racial discrimination and espionage. The arrests occurred in Belgrade, Serbia's capital, and Velika Plana, a town located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) to the south. The operation was conducted in coordination with security services.
French investigators identified a vehicle with Serbian license plates and a Croatian phone number associated with the crimes near the mosques. Authorities are also investigating posters plastered on the Arc de Triomphe in the same month, depicting a Russian soldier and the words "Say thank you to the victorious Soviet soldier".
Foreign Interference Allegations
The vandalism of the Holocaust Memorial, synagogues, and a restaurant in late April resulted in the arrest and charging of three Serbs in France. According to a French judicial source, they are suspected of committing the crimes "in order to serve the interests of a foreign power".
Belgrade has maintained close ties with Moscow following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Several direct flights operate daily between the two countries, and a substantial Russian diaspora has settled in Belgrade. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and other government officials have also visited Moscow since the invasion began.
