**Croatian Nationals Expelled from Serbia: A Growing Concern**
In the past two days, four Croatian nationals have been expelled from Serbia, bringing the total number of such cases to 15 in just three months. This worrying trend has caught the attention of Croatian Ambassador to Serbia Hidajet Biscevic, who spoke to N1 Belgrade about the situation.
**Targeting Croatian Citizens**
The expulsion order was handed to an official representative of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Belgrade, who had been living and working in Serbia’s capital for 11 years. This is just one example of how Croatian citizens are being targeted, with the ambassador emphasizing that these actions exclusively target individuals from his country.
**Warning to Croatian Citizens**
The Croatian Foreign Affairs Ministry has warned its citizens to exercise extreme caution when traveling to Serbia and to refrain from participating in public demonstrations, making statements, or displaying slogans. This is a stark reminder of the risks faced by Croatian nationals living in Serbia.
**A Lack of Clarity**
Each of these Croatian citizens received an expulsion order that simply states “security threat,” for the duration of one year. Ambassador Biscevic expressed confusion over how someone would be assessed as no longer a security threat after 12 months, highlighting the lack of clarity and transparency in these decisions.
**Fear Among Croatians**
This situation creates a negative atmosphere and feelings among Croatian citizens living in Serbia, inducing a certain level of fear. The ambassador noted that there is no way to appeal these decisions, leaving many feeling vulnerable and uncertain about their future.
**A Diplomatic Note**
In response to this growing concern, Ambassador Biscevic stated that the Republic of Croatia will be sending a diplomatic note requesting an explanation and clarification from Serbian institutions. This move aims to address the frequency of these incidents and the evident targeting of Croatian citizens.
**Freedom of Expression**
The ambassador emphasized that in a democratic society, every citizen has the right to express their opinion on social media, just as they would have in any other country. The fact that four Croatians were expelled for supporting student protests raises questions about the limits of freedom of expression in Serbia.
**Awaiting a Response**
Ambassador Biscevic acknowledged that it is the right of any country not to provide explanations, but he hopes that Serbian authorities will respond to their diplomatic note. Only time will tell if this move will bring about any change or clarification on these concerning incidents.
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