UN experts today expressed “deep concern” with the “recurrent use” of intelligence programs for espionage and digital surveillance in Serbia against opponents, activists and journalists, a few weeks from the legislative elections convened on October 25.
© Lusa
15/09/2026
by
Lusa
Segundo denounced, several opposition politicians and members of student movements received alerts on their phones after being attacked with a new version of NoviSpy, a software presumably used since 2013 to spy on civil society, especially journalists and political activists.
“ This is particularly alarming given the proximity of the parliamentary elections (...) Spy software technologies are intrinsically incompatible with human rights, and their use and transfer should be prohibited,” they warned.
The United Nations experts argued that the use of this type of tool, coupled with harassment, defamation and cyberattacks against opponents, violates the freedoms of peaceful assembly, expression and privacy, directly affecting the integrity of the democratic process in the Balkan country.
They also pointed out that this ‘software’ — which affects civil society organisations, students, human rights defenders, opponents and journalists — is secretly installed during police interrogations or arbitrary arrests related to peaceful protests.
“The uncertainty surrounding the use of digital technology in the context of elections fosters a climate of fear and creates a profound deterrent effect on democratic participation. Without full respect for the freedoms of assembly, association and expression before, during and after the elections, the electoral process [in Serbia] cannot be considered free or fair,” they stressed.
The Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, dissolved on 9 September the parliament and called early elections on 25 October, a demand by anti-government protesters after the collapse of the Novi Sad train station, which caused 16 deaths in 2024.
Vucic, whose term of office would end in 2027, had already announced in June that he would resign to be a candidate for Prime Minister by the conservative Progressive Party of Serbia (SNS), and justified the anticipation of the elections with the continuing tensions and divisions in the Balkan country.
The October elections, which were scheduled for 2027, will take place in a climate of increased political tension, at a time when populists in power try to remain in government despite widespread popular discontent.