Serbia’s Civil Society Crackdown Earns Ban from Israeli Company

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Serbia Carries Civil Society Scrutiny for USAID Funding

By Raisina Correspondent

New Delhi, February 28: US President Donald Trump’s vilification of USAID is allegedly aiding in civil society targeting in Serbia. After an Israeli company blacklisted Serbia from accessing its spyware, Transparency International issued a joint letter to condemn the alleged persecution of civil society.

“The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) condemns the raid by armed members of the Criminal Police Directorate on the premises of five civil society organizations, including NCEU members, without an appropriate court order,” said a joint letter issued by 100 organisations associated with European Union.

Earlier, and Israeli company banned Serbia from using its spyware. Cellebrite, the Israeli company, alleged that Serbia used its software to target civil society, including journalists. The software of the Israeli company is used worldwide by law enforcement agencies to unlock mobile phones.

“We believe this action, carried out under the orders of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade under the pretext of verifying the spending of USAID funds, is politically motivated with the aim of intimidating and pressuring organizations and individuals who critically oppose the decisions and actions of the authorities,” added the joint statement.

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It also stated that “citizens across Serbia are taking to the streets demanding the respect of the law and accountability of institutions”. The joint letter also stated that “the authorities have chosen to intimidate and attempt to suppress critical voices”.

Earlier, an Amnesty International report had accused Serbia of using the Israeli software to secretly break into phones belonging to civilians and install spyware. Israel’s Pegasus has also been embroiled in controversies globally for snooping charges against licensed government agencies. WhatsApp had alerted previously users worldwide of attempts to snoop by government agencies by using Pegasus software.

“Selective and politically motivated investigations against civil society represent a serious blow to fundamental civil rights and freedoms, undermine the rule of law, and are entirely contrary to European values, thus questioning Serbia’s further European perspective,” added the joint statement.

While announcing the ban on Serbia from using its products, Cellebrite said that the company “vigorously supports the democratic ideals of free speech and a free press”. Cellebrite states in its descriptions that it “does not develop products that support surveillance or monitoring efforts by governments”.

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