WASHINGTON — The U.S. imposed sanctions on the pro-Russian head of Serbian intelligence on Tuesday, accusing Aleksander Vulin of involvement in unlawful arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public workplace.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control mentioned Vulin used his public authority to assist U.S.-sanctioned Serbian arms supplier Slobodan Tesic transfer unlawful arms shipments throughout Serbia’s borders. Vulin can also be accused of involvement in a drug trafficking ring, Treasury mentioned.

Vulin was appointed spy chief for the Balkan state final yr.

He beforehand served as Serbia’s inside minister. In that function, he visited Moscow final August, a uncommon go to by a European state official that underscored Belgrade’s refusal to affix Western sanctions towards Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Vulin then informed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that “Serbia is the only state in Europe that didn’t introduce sanctions and was not part of the anti-Russian hysteria.”

Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership, however its strained relationship with Kosovo has stymied its utility and the nation has for years been drifting away from its EU path and towards allyship with Russia.

Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, mentioned the U.S. “will continue to hold accountable those who further their political agenda and personal gain at the expense of peace and stability in the Western Balkans and advance Russia’s malign activities in Serbia and the region.”

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