EU warns Serbia: Spying on political opponents would be unacceptable if confirmed

The European Union has been briefed on new allegations that spyware was used to illegally monitor student activists and opposition politicians in Serbia. The European Commission said such access to citizens’ and political opponents’ data would be unacceptable if confirmed.

The EU reaction followed claims of unauthorized surveillance targeting members of Serbia’s opposition and student movement. The Sher Foundation said on September 2 that at least 14 people had been targeted by advanced spyware since the beginning of 2026, calling it the largest documented wave of such surveillance in the country so far.

“

Any attempt to unlawfully access the data of citizens and political opponents, if confirmed, is unacceptable.

The reported targets included members of the student movement, activists, one lawmaker and one local councilor, all linked to opposition parties. The period identified by the foundation coincided with local elections held on March 29, 2026.

Student Ela Zeković said on September 2, at the first news conference held by students involved in the blockade movement, that students had been spied on with specialized software. She said the software was sold only to governments.

“

Students were spied on with specialized software, which is sold only to governments.