SEESAC. 2005 ‘SALW Transfers - Republic of Serbia.’ South Eastern Europe Small Arms and Light Weapons Monitor, 2005, p. 153. Belgrade: South Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons / SEESAC and Saferworld. 1 January

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SALW Transfers - Republic of Serbia

The extent to which SALW are illegally trafficked to and from Serbia is hard to measure. Figures provided to the SALW Republic of Serbia Survey on weapons seizures by the MUP in 2003 failed to distinguish between weapons seized internally and weapons seized at borders. Alternative figures available from the Security Intelligence Service (BIA) showed that, in the first four months of 2004, €300,000 worth of 'weapons, army equipment and crude oil derivatives were seized.' Unfortunately, no detailed breakdown was available.

Intelligence sources point to the increasing popularity of smaller forms of transportation, such as cars and vans being used by SALW traffickers. Non-cargo crossings are now relatively more vulnerable to trafficking than in previous years.

For many years, border authorities searched every vehicle. However, with increased trade to and from the republic, intercepting trafficking activity is increasingly difficult. Nevertheless, a combination of an improvement in the security environment, reduced ethnic conflict, probable market saturation and better law enforcement capacity is thought to have contributed to a decrease in trafficking levels, as witnessed by a decrease in border interceptions.

[SALW = Small arms and light weapons; MUP = Ministry of Internal Affairs]

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