US imposes sanctions against head of Balkan security agency Vulin - European Western Balkans

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Aleksandar Vulin, current director of Serbia's National Security Agency and former Minister of Interior and Defense.

According to a Department press release today, Vulin's actions facilitated corruption in Serbia's governing bodies and included involvement in drug trafficking. As a result of today's action, all of Wulin's property and interests located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. All transactions by U.S. persons within the United States involving property or interests in property thereof are prohibited unless authorized. In addition, financial institutions and others who engage in certain transactions or activities with an authorized person can expose themselves to sanctions.

Till last year, Vulin led a small political party allied with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. He has held several important positions in the government since 2012, including his period as Minister of Defense (2017-2020) and Minister of Interior (2020-2022).

According to OFAC, Aleksandar Vulin has been involved in transnational organized crime, illegal drug activity, and abuse of public office. Vulin maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic, helping to ensure that Tesic's illicit arms shipments could move freely across Serbia's borders. The press release states that Vulin's actions contributed to corruption in Serbia's governing bodies. These actions included using their authority for personal gain, including involvement in the drug trade. He has used his public positions to support Russia by facilitating malicious Russian activities that destroy security and stability in the Balkans and provide a platform for Russia to expand its influence in the region.

OFAC designates Vulin under E.O. 14033 for his responsibility, complicity, or direct or indirect participation in corruption related to the Western Balkans, including corruption committed on behalf of or in connection with a government in the Western Balkans or a current or former public official at any level of government in the Western Balkans, such as misappropriation of public assets, confiscation of private assets for personal gain or political purposes, or bribery.