Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk, his wife and three project employees arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport early on 11 October after travelling through Belgrade, RTVI and AFP reported. [1][2]
Montenegrin authorities detained the group in Risan on 9 October and ordered their expulsion on national and internal-security grounds. Zvinchuk told RTVI that equipment seized during the operation had not been returned; that account was not independently confirmed in the cited reports. [1][2]
ContextThe group’s arrival in Russia confirms that the removal from Montenegro was carried out. It does not resolve why a sanctioned individual was initially admitted or establish that criminal charges were filed. [1][2]
Confirmed that Zvinchuk and the four associates reached Moscow through Belgrade on 11 October, completing the expulsion follow-up.
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Montenegro expels Rybar founder on national-security grounds
Mikhail Zvinchuk and other Russian nationals were detained in Risan and ordered expelled after Montenegrin authorities said they posed national and internal-security concerns.
Montenegrin police and the state security agency detained Rybar founder Mikhail Zvinchuk and other Russian nationals in Risan on 9 October before ordering their expulsion on national and internal-security grounds. Reuters reported four expulsions, while AP reported five; both accounts identify Zvinchuk among the group.
Police said digital equipment, including a drone, cameras and phones, was seized. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić linked the operation to warnings about hybrid activity against Montenegro’s European path, but the cited official statements did not disclose evidence of a completed destabilisation operation or announce criminal charges.
ContextRybar said the group was in Montenegro legally to film a monastery and had notified the authorities. Russia’s embassy sought clarification, while Russian officials said diplomats would protect the detainees’ rights. Those are the parties’ stated positions; the expulsion decision itself was administrative and based on security grounds.
