Montenegro Detains Rybar Founder and Four Others

Montenegro detained five people, including Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk, his wife and three others, on October 9, as Prime Minister Milojko Spajić linked the operation to concerns about efforts to destabilize the country. The specific allegations against the group have not been detailed by authorities, and it is not clear whether anyone will face charges. Zvinchuk founded Rybar, a Russian Telegram channel that reports on the war in Ukraine and has more than 1.5 million followers, according to the reports. Local media said the detentions took place in Risan, a coastal town, and involved police and security agents. One report said the five were taken for questioning. Spajić confirmed Zvinchuk’s detention and described it as a successful operation. He said Montenegro had warned of attempts to undermine and destabilize the country through hybrid activities. His statement did not identify specific alleged conduct by the detainees or announce charges. Rybar said Zvinchuk and the others were in Montenegro legally and intended to film at the Cetinje Monastery after submitting an official request. The channel said its team was in contact with Russia’s Foreign Ministry.