Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

SERBIA
Overview: The Government of Serbia sustained its efforts to counter international terrorism in
2012. Serbian and U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies collaborated against potential
terrorist threats. Serbia's two main specialized police organizations, the Special Anti-Terrorist
Unit and the Counter-Terrorist Unit, both operated as counterterrorism tactical response units.
Serbia accepted and welcomed U.S.-funded counterterrorism training. Harmonization of law
enforcement protocols with EU standards remained a priority for the Serbian government.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Transnational terrorism concerns within
Serbia were similar to those in other Balkan states, all of which are collectively located on the
historic transit route between the Middle East and Western Europe. Serbian authorities are
sensitive to and vigilant against any efforts by violent extremists to establish a presence in or
transit the country. The Serbian government continued to participate in the UN Office on Drugs
and Crime regional program to promote the rule of law and human security in Southeast Europe,
which primarily focuses on increasing member states' counterterrorism capacities.
In line with proposed amendments to the Criminal Code (which were approved by the
Government of Serbia in early December and submitted to the National Assembly, and are
expected to be passed by the National Assembly by the end of the calendar year), criminal
legislation would be harmonized with the 2005 Council of Europe (COE) Convention on the
Prevention of Terrorism (ratified in 2009) and the EU Council Framework Decision on
Combating Terrorism (2002/475/JHA) of June 13, 2002 (amended in 2008). The existing
criminal offense of terrorism would also be expanded to include five new offenses: public
instigation of terrorist acts, recruitment and training for terrorist acts, use of deadly devices,
damage and destruction of a nuclear facility, and terrorist conspiracy.
The United States provided counterterrorism training and assistance to Serbia through a number
of agencies and programs.
Countering Terrorist Finance: Serbia is a member of Moneyval, the COE Committee of
Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism,
a Financial Task Force regional-style body. Although the National Assembly did not adopt any
new terrorism-related legislation, Serbia's Administration for the Prevention of Money
Laundering (APML) developed a draft law on restrictions on property disposal, with the aim of
preventing terrorist financing. The draft law is intended to rectify existing shortcomings in
implementing UNSC resolutions. The law had not been approved by year’s end.
In December, Moneyval adopted a Progress Report on improvements in Serbia's anti-money
laundering/combating the financing of terrorism system.
As part of Serbia's efforts to meet EU standards and advance its EU accession effort, several
conferences and workshops connected to the Project against Money Laundering and Terrorist
Financing in Serbia (MOLI-Serbia Project) took place in Serbia. MOLI-Serbia, which is cosponsored
and funded by the EU and the COE, principally benefits APML, and once it is fully
implemented, Serbia will have a more robust legislative and operational capacity to counter
money laundering and terrorist finance systems in accordance with EU and international
standards.
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