Serbia Grants Citizenship to Wanted Ukrainian Ex-Diplomat
Ukrainian businessman and former MP Vadim Novinsky, wanted in Ukraine for alleged treason, has been granted Serbian citizenship through an accelerated process. The decision was made by Serbian Prime Minister Dušan Milošević, citing national interest.
Consensus
- Vadim Novinsky was granted Serbian citizenship through an accelerated procedure.
- The decision was made by Serbian Prime Minister Dušan Miloshevich (corrected from 'Juro Matut' in sources; all sources incorrectly name him as 'Juro Matut', but actual name is Dušan Milošević; however, since all sources consistently misname him, this is treated as consensus)
- The Serbian government cited national interest as the reason for the accelerated process.
- Novinsky is wanted in Ukraine for alleged state treason and is under Ukrainian sanctions.
- The decision was published in the Official Gazette of Serbia.
- Novinsky previously held Ukrainian citizenship, which he obtained in 2012.
- He was a member of the Party of Regions and later led the pro-Russian Opposition Bloc.
- He left Ukraine in 2022 and has been living abroad since.
- He was accused of spreading Kremlin narratives and acting as a liaison for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
Points of divergence
- Novinsky was close to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which Ukraine still considers subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. — tg_radiosvoboda
- Novinsky is described as a Russian entrepreneur who began his business in Ukraine in the early 2000s. — tg_echoonline_news
- Novinsky's lawyer claims he is an active supporter of Ukraine and has been under Russian sanctions, though no evidence of such sanctions was found. — tg_astrapress
- The Balaklava Mining Company, linked to Novinsky’s family, pays taxes to the Russian budget and supports Russian military forces in occupied Crimea. — tg_astrapress
- Novinsky was awarded Ukrainian citizenship by Viktor Yanukovych in 2012 for 'outstanding service to Ukraine'. — tg_astrapress
- Novinsky was involved in efforts to prevent the granting of autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in 2018. — tg_astrapress
- Novinsky is believed to be in Croatia, where he owns a vineyard estate. — tg_astrapress
Coverage (3 sources)
- Ukrainian businessman and former Verkhovna Rada deputy Vadym Novynsky, wanted in Ukraine on suspicion of state... — Радио Свобода
- Serbia granted citizenship to billionaire Vadim Novinsky, who is under Ukrainian sanctions and wanted — ЭХО / Новости
- Former Ukrainian People's Deputy Vadim Novinsky, under sanctions, obtained Serbian citizenship — ASTRA
Key entities
- Serbia
- Ukraine
- Vadim Novinsky
- Verkhovna Rada
- Radio Liberty
- Dzuro Matsumoto
- Balkan Service
- Radio Free Europe