Montenegro to deport Rybar propaganda network founder and four other Russians

The Montenegrin authorities have taken the decision to deport Mikhail Zvinchuk, head of the Russian propaganda network Rybar, his wife and three other Russian citizens on grounds of national and internal security.

Source: European Pravda, citing Montenegrin media outlet Vijesti

Details: Deportation decisions have also been taken with respect to Zvinchuk's wife, Valeria Zvinchuk, and Sergei Belous, Pavel Lekatorchuk and Kira Doroshenko.

Quote: "Police Directorate officers, in cooperation with the National Security Agency and supported by international partners, have today conducted a targeted and coordinated operation aimed at preventing, detecting and neutralising illegal activities on the territory of Montenegro."

Details: The police noted that five Russian citizens who had arrived in Montenegro less than two days earlier were identified and detained in today's operation.

Quote: "Following criminal, operational and intelligence investigations, it was established that these individuals cannot remain in Montenegro, and in accordance with the Law on Foreign Nationals, a decision has been taken to deport them from Montenegro on national and internal security grounds."

Background:

• On the morning of 9 October, Zvinchuk was detained in Montenegro alongside his wife and colleague, Valeria Zvinchuk, and three other people.
• Zvinchuk is subject to UK sanctions, and the US Department of State has listed him as an individual involved in malign influence operations targeting the US electoral process.
• Through its Rewards for Justice programme, the US State Department has offered a reward of up to US$10 million for information leading to the identification or location of foreign entities engaged in interference in US elections, including alleged accomplices of Rybar, or the prevention of such interference.

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