EditCroatia bans pro-Serbian figures from Montenegro from entering the country
Official Zagreb is unlikely to publicly release the list at this time, but individuals under suspicion will be stopped at the border
Croatia has recently added several individuals from Montenegro to its unofficial roster of persons barred from entering the country, primarily due to actions perceived as insulting the dignity of Croatia’s Homeland War from the 1990s, as reported by EUalive’s partner Antena-M.
This measure, while not publicly acknowledged by Zagreb, becomes evident when those affected attempt to cross the border. Reliable sources indicate that the latest designations target figures from the parapolitical sphere rather than high-ranking state officials, focusing on those involved in efforts to challenge or defame memorials related to wartime events.
A prominent name on this expanded list is reportedly Mijajlo Backović, a priest of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. Described by sources as a key associate of Serbian intelligence structures in Montenegro, Backović founded the Miholjsko zbor and wields significant influence as a gray eminence in local authorities in the Boka region. Despite limited formal education, he has publicly engaged with complex topics such as the ethnogenesis of Boka’s inhabitants. In statements from April 2025, he argued that Roman Catholics in Boka historically identified as Bokelians or Serbs until World War II, citing literary figures like Ivo Andrić and Meša Selimović as evidence. He claimed a subsequent “Croatisation” project forcibly changed their identity, contrasting the attention given to the Morinj camp (see below) with silence on other issues. Such rhetoric has contributed to his inclusion on the restricted list.
The blacklist also reportedly encompasses Momčilo Vuksanović, president of the Serbian National Council, recognized for his nationalist and anti-Croatian rhetoric. Radan Nikolić, head of the Association of War Fighters 1991-95, joins them; he has long promoted Belgrade’s interests in Montenegro and previously threatened radical measures if the memorial plaque at Morinj was not removed legally. Additionally, Ivan Starčević, a member of the NGO Matica Boka, and Dr. Mašan Ercegović, president of the Council of NGO Boka Kotorska, face the same restriction.
This development builds on earlier actions. Following Montenegro’s adoption of a resolution on the Jasenovac genocide, Croatia declared in 2024 persona non grata the President of the Montenegrin Assembly Andrija Mandić, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić (leader of Democratic Montenegro), and Milan Knežević (leader of the Democratic People’s Party).
The Jasenovac concentration and extermination camp was established in 1941 by the Ustasha leaders of Croatia, who were allied with the Nazis. During World War II, an estimated 83,000 to 100,000 people—primarily Serbs, Jews, Roma, and anti-fascist Croats, were murdered at Jasenovac.
Zagreb cited their continuous efforts to undermine good neighborly relations and exploit Croatia for domestic political gain. The Croatian Ministry emphasized that good neighborliness forms a core criterion in Montenegro’s EU enlargement process, urging Podgorica to align with European values.
Historical flashpoint: the Morinj memorial and broader implications
Central to these tensions is the memorial plaque unveiled in October 2022 at the site of the former Morinj camp in Montenegro, where Croatian civilians and defenders were detained during the 1990s Yugoslav aggression against Croatia.
The plaque’s text reads: “During the Great Serbian aggression against Croatia, there was a camp here, the so-called Center Morinj, for imprisoned Croatian civilians and defenders. We remember the crimes committed to disgrace the name and spirit of Montenegro. We express our regret for all the suffering that survived captives. May it never happen again!” It was installed by then-Montenegrin ministers Raško Konjević and Ranko Krivokapić, alongside Croatian officials Gordan Grlić Radman and Tom Medved.
Efforts to contest or remove this plaque- through media campaigns and organized initiatives, have fueled Croatia’s response. Activists and figures associated with these attempts are now facing entry bans, reflecting Zagreb’s resolve to protect the commemoration of its victims and counter narratives that challenge the historical record of aggression.
These restrictions carry wider ramifications for Montenegro’s European aspirations. While Montenegro has made notable strides – provisionally closing Chapter 32 on financial control in January 2026, bringing the total to 13 out of 33 chapters, the country remains vulnerable to external influences. Pro-Serbian elements, bolstered by shared cultural and linguistic ties, the Serbian Orthodox Church’s role in promoting certain narratives, Serbian-dominated media, funding for aligned parties, and disputes over identity, continue to complicate Podgorica’s Euro-Atlantic path. Analysts note that Belgrade may perceive Montenegro’s accelerated integration as a threat to regional projects emphasizing Serbian dominance.
Meanwhile, Ana Brnabić, President of the Assembly of Serbia, asserts on 1 February that Belgrade has never interfered in Montenegro’s internal politics. She remarked with a mix of sadness and disbelief, “I find it both sad and hard to believe that Serbia cannot open Cluster 3, which includes three new chapters, while Montenegro has already begun to open and is now gradually closing everything.” This statement was reported by Danas.
Croatia’s measures send a pointed message: policies disrupting neighborly ties, fostering provocations, or pursuing anti-European aims will face consequences.
Amid these diplomatic frictions, Montenegro presses forward with reforms, aiming to close remaining chapters swiftly. The interplay between historical memory, national identity, and geopolitical alignment will likely shape bilateral relations and the broader stability of the Western Balkans for years to come.
Sources: Antena-M, BETA, Danas, Balkan Insight
Caption: Facebook (Government of the Republic of Croatia)
Updated: February 2, 2026 - 15:47
