Serbian Police Raid Offices of Watchdogs, Seek Evidence on USAID Donations
The Serbian police raided the offices of two Belgrade-based democracy watchdogs, seeking information about possible abuse of funds donated by the U.S. international aid agency (USAID). The move follows a 90-day freeze in U.S. funding for USAID and a subsequent scaling down of the agency's operations. Proponents of the raids claim that the organization's activities were irregular, while critics view it as an attempt to silence opposition voices.
- The crackdown on non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets in Serbia raises concerns about the government's willingness to tolerate dissenting voices and promote transparency.
- How will the international community respond to the Serbian authorities' actions, particularly given the significant investment made by USAID in promoting democracy and good governance in the country?