Montenegro orders Rybar founder and four others expelled after detention
In short
Montenegrin authorities ordered Russian war blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk and four others expelled after detaining them in Risan, reports said. Authorities cited national and internal security, while Rybar said the group had planned to film a monastery after notifying officials.
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Montenegrin authorities ordered Russian war blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk and four other people expelled after detaining them in the coastal town of Risan, CNN and the Associated Press reported on October 9. AP said police cited national and internal security grounds. CNN reported that the group had been released from detention and was waiting at an airport for a flight, citing RIA Novosti. [ 3 , 4 ]
Police said the group entered Montenegro two days earlier and had been staying in a hotel in Risan, according to AP. Officers confiscated digital equipment including a drone, two cameras and several phones. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic described the action as protecting Montenegro's interests and its European future. CNN said he linked the detention to information that the Rybar network could attempt to destabilise the country through disinformation. [ 3 , 4 ]
Zvinchuk founded Rybar, a Telegram channel with more than 1.5 million subscribers that supports Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to CNN and AP. AP described him as a former military officer who worked in the Russian Defence Ministry's press office. The outlet said Montenegro is a NATO member seeking membership of the European Union. [ 3 , 4 ]
A statement on Rybar said the group intended to film a monastery after notifying authorities and was in contact with Russia's Foreign Ministry, AP reported. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russian diplomats would establish the reason for the detention and help protect the group's rights. Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the embassy was looking into the case. Newsweek separately reported that former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev called for taking more American and European prisoners in retaliation for Zvinchuk's detention. [ 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic linked the detention to suspected efforts to destabilise Montenegro. Russian officials said diplomats would investigate the reasons and help protect the group's rights.
Key facts
- Authorities detained Zvinchuk and four others and ordered their expulsion from Montenegro. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Police said the group was detained at a hotel in Risan. [ 4 ]
- Police said they confiscated a drone, two cameras and several phones. [ 4 ]
- Rybar said the group planned to film a monastery and had notified authorities. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The alleged destabilisation activities are not detailed in the supplied reports. AP says authorities gave no further details beyond the security grounds; Rybar presents a filming explanation.