Serbian police arrest 4 in connection with false bomb reports

BELGRADE, Serbia

Serbian police arrested at least three people across the country and one in the Czech Republic on Friday in connection with major false bomb reports.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced early Friday that an extensive international operation was expected to result in the arrest of individuals connected to frequent reports of explosive devices in various educational institutions in Serbia by the end of the day.

According to the police statement, a large amount of IT equipment was seized along with the suspects.

The Ministry reported that Serbia has experienced a total of 80 different false bomb reports concerning various educational institutions since the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

The Ministry of Education has announced a protocol on how to act in kindergartens and schools in the event of reports of planted bombs.

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war on Feb. 24, 2022, numerous bomb threats have been reported in Serbia, initially targeting flights to Moscow from Belgrade, as well as airports.

Shopping malls and other public buildings have also received bomb threats over the past two months.

Education was frequently suspended in Serbia following the false reports, leading to the evacuation of dozens of schools in a single day.