Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin discussed security issues and the "involvement of external forces" in Serbia with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, the Serbian government said on August 13.
Vulin thanked the Russian security agencies that "warned Serbian leadership about preparations for mass unrest and an attempted coup," a government statement said.
Vulin, who has been designated by the United States for sanctions due to his close ties to the Kremlin, met with Shoigu after a mass environmental protest over the weekend in Belgrade in which thousands of citizens demanded a ban on lithium mining. Three activists were jailed and several were questioned by police.
The Serbian government accused organizers and participants in the protests, which have been ongoing for weeks across Serbia, of attempting to violently overthrow Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
SEE ALSO: U.S. Ambassador Says Partnership With Kosovo 'Not What We Would Hope'Vucic said last week that Russian security services "warned that mass unrest was being prepared in Serbia, with the ultimate goal of a coup and the overthrow of the country's leadership."
Foreign policy analyst Bosko Jaksic told RFE/RL this was "a colossal manipulation" and considers Vucic's statements "part of a multiyear game of swinging between East and West."
He said the Russians "use every situation everywhere in the world" to destabilize and "turn countries and politicians against the West."
Vulin, who is on an official visit to Russia, reiterated on August 12 that Serbia would not impose sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Serbia justifies its refusal citing friendly relations with Russia and the support it receives from Moscow.
The protesters demand a halt to Anglo-Australian metals and mining giant Rio Tinto's lithium project in Jadar in western Serbia over fears it could pollute nearby land and water.
The organizers of the most recent mass protest demand the release of the three activists -- Ivan Bjelic, Nikola Ristic and Jevdenije Julijan Dimitrijevic.
SEE ALSO: Serbian Police Disperse Protesters Opposed To Lithium MiningTheir lawyer, Marko Pantic, told RFE/RL they were charged with violating the Law on Public Order and Peace and released on August 13.
Pantic had filed an appeal against verdicts issued by the Misdemeanor Court, which told RFE/EL the three activists were convicted in the first instance for "indecent, insolent and reckless behavior."
The article referred to by the court provides for a sentence of 30 to 60 days in prison for those who "disturb public order and peace or endanger property or insult the morale of citizens by indecent, insolent or reckless behavior."
The court declined to answer RFE/RL’s inquiry on the specific allegations against the three activists.
Pantic told RFE/RL all three allegedly approached a journalist from a pro-government newspaper, surrounded her, obstructed her work, and yelled at her. In addition, Bjelic is charged with waving a sandwich in the journalist’s face and pushing it into her mouth.
"We hope and believe that the verdict will be quashed and that all three defendants will be released," Pantic said.