Serbia vows to prosecute volunteers headed to Ukraine
Belgrade announced that any volunteers heading to Ukraine to fight on either side of the military operation will be prosecuted and will face hefty penalties.
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Serbia recently saw massive demonstrations in support of Russia(AFP)
According to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian law prohibits residents from volunteering to participate in foreign battles, and anybody doing so in Ukraine — on either side – would face serious penalties.
Vucic said that “As for volunteers, since both sides have called for volunteers, the Serbian criminal code – and we will amend it to be stricter – outlaws participation in any conflicts that do not defend Serbia’s territorial integrity."
At a conference with the German foreign minister on Friday, the Serbian President said “Any of those who think they should take part in some war, we will punish severely in accordance with our constitution and our laws.”
Serbians rally in Belgrade to support Russia
Serbia saw mass demonstrations supporting Russia and denouncing the European Union's sanctions on it. The Serbs strongly opposed sanctions against Russia and marched in support of the country, its people, and the Russian army's special military operation in Ukraine.
The rally came out in support of Russia and the citizens of Donbass, who had suffered eight years of persecution. The demonstrators chanted slogans against NATO's expansion in eastern Europe and rejected their country's accession to the alliance.
Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform reported that 3,000 US volunteers are ready to arrive in Ukraine, amid Russia's ongoing military operation in the country.
The agency quoted the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ press service via Telegram as saying that "the volunteers are ready to repel Russia as part of an international battalion."
Ukrinform reiterated that more than 16,000 foreign fighters are heading to Ukraine to fight Russia.
It claimed that "Ukraine is creating an International Legion of Territorial Defense consisting of foreigners who are willing to join Ukraine’s resistance and protect global security."
Additionally, this week, close to 450 extremist Arab and foreign nationals have arrived in Ukraine from Idlib to fight against Russia's forces, less than only three days after they left Syria, passing through Turkey.
Yesterday, the Russian President agreed to the idea of inviting volunteers to participate in the special military operation in Ukraine.
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, numerous volunteers are willing to help people in Donbass, including 16,000 from Middle Eastern nations.
