Russian citizen Elena Koposova has been living in Serbia with her family for five years. Recently, the Belgrade authorities unexpectedly revoked her residence permit. She was told that she poses a national "security risk" and must leave the country. Koposova believes it is a result of her solidarity with Ukraine.
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00:00 The foothills of Mount Kosmaj near Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
00:07 Five years ago, Russian citizen Elena Koposova found a new home here with her husband and
00:13 two sons.
00:14 The couple has invested its entire life savings in building a home and a family business,
00:19 a small hotel.
00:21 Just as they were about to pave the driveway to the house, Koposova got mail from the Interior
00:26 Ministry telling her that her residence permit in Serbia had been cancelled and that she
00:31 had to leave the country within 30 days.
00:34 The reason given was that she poses a threat to Serbia's security.
00:38 The word "shock" does not describe the state I felt at that moment when I got these two
00:51 decisions.
01:10 The family pays taxes regularly in Serbia, she says, abides by the law and has adapted
01:16 well to its new environment.
01:18 Her elder son will finish elementary school soon and has made many friends here.
01:23 Koposova believes there can only be one reason for the authorities' decision.
01:27 Two years ago, she signed an open letter condemning Russia's war in Ukraine.
01:33 That must have triggered the investigation against her, she says.
01:38 I am a risk to Russia, to the Russian government, because I have an anti-war position, which
01:50 means I am against the Russian government that started this war.
01:58 Does that mean I am a risk to Serbia?
02:01 I don't think so.
02:02 I think I am a risk to Serbia to the people who supported the war.
02:06 According to other Russian and Ukrainian anti-war activists living in Serbia, this is not the
02:12 first time the Serbian government has acted in this way.
02:15 They believe that Elena Koposova is actually the fifth such case in the country.
02:21 Four other Russian nationals had their residence permits revoked, allegedly on the grounds
02:26 of secret service findings.
02:28 In all cases, their appeals were rejected and no explanation was given.
02:33 Serbian citizen Peter Nikitin believes that the message the Serbian authorities are sending
02:38 out is quite clear.
02:40 You can live in Serbia as long as you remain silent.
02:44 We are not involved in Serbian politics.
02:49 We cannot be involved, because most of us know nothing about it.
02:55 Our views are about excluding the dictatorship of Kut and the Bratobijeljska war, which was
03:03 a war that was fought in the past.
03:07 Unfortunately, it is clear that they want to silence us.
03:12 Koposova's appeal is still being reviewed, as is the residence status of her husband
03:17 and two children.
03:19 Until a decision is made, her life will remain on hold.
03:23 Our health insurance is not working now, because we do not have our passport, we do not have
03:30 a legal residence permit, and we cannot register our children in school or high school, because
03:38 we do not have a residence permit.
03:40 I don't know, I think it's a mistake, and I want to go back.
03:47 I think it will be difficult to resolve, but I want to.
03:51 All the family can do now is hope, because they no longer feel their home is in Russia,
03:56 but here in Serbia, in the foothills of Mount Kosmaj.
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