Mihail Zvinčuk, a journalist known for broadcasting Russian‑state propaganda, was reportedly arrested in the Montenegrin town of Risan early this morning, according to local media reports. The arrest was reported by several Montenegrin outlets, but no official statement from Montenegrin authorities has yet confirmed the incident. Zvinčuk has been active on the Russian‑backed television program Solovjov Live, where he has produced a series of video reports from the Balkans. In a video posted on 6 October 2024 from the banks of the Sava River in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he spoke from the area of Donja Gradina near Jasenovac. He said, “Behind my back is the European Union and the well‑known Jasenovac concentration camp, the third largest in Europe in terms of crimes.” He added that “Kiev will seek help from Europe, and the Croatians and other Europeans will likely assist.” In the same video, Zvinčuk commented on the results of the Bosnian general election, claiming that in the Republika Srpska “people believe that Russia is the guarantor of the Serbian nation’s freedom and the restoration of historical justice.” He also referenced a monument on the Serbian side of the Sava, describing it as a “memorial of the horrors where Croatian Ustaše and German Nazis once hanged Serbian victims.” He stated that the monument is “on the Serbian side because the Croatian side tends to forget it,” and that “the official history does not recognize that 700,000 Serbs were killed.” Zvinčuk’s remarks about the Jasenovac camp and the death toll are unverified and contradict widely accepted historical estimates. The figure of 700,000 is not supported by mainstream scholarship, which places the number of victims at around 80,000. In a separate video posted from Montenegro, Zvinčuk discussed the country’s new visa policy for Russian citizens. He said that Montenegro’s introduction of visas is “part of aligning with the European Union and, in general, a concession to it.” He added that the policy is “more political than practical” and that it is expected to reduce revenue. Zvinčuk also claimed that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had called the move a mistake made under EU pressure, and that the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs and told to “take care of his business.” He concluded that “the alignment with the EU should be expected in the coming years, and citizens in Montenegro are already feeling the restrictive measures of the EU.” During the same video, Zvinčuk mentioned a network called “Ribar,” describing it as an agent of the U.S. State Department. He likely referred to a U.S. State Department announcement in October 2024 that offered a $10 million reward for information on members of the Ribar network, which the U.S. government alleged had promoted Russian political interests and attempted to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Zvinčuk’s videos have largely focused on the Russian war in Ukraine, German politics, and other topics, rather than on local events in the Balkan states where he is filming. His statements about Montenegro’s visa policy and the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina have drawn attention from both local and international observers. The arrest of Zvinčuk in Risan has not yet been confirmed by Montenegrin authorities, and it remains unclear whether he will be charged or released. The incident has raised questions about the safety of journalists covering sensitive political issues in the region.
Article source: Večernji List | Image credit: Večernji List