circleWhen Aleksandar Matkovic initially received a life-threatening message, he believed it was a prank. The message, sent to his Telegram account just after midnight on August 14, stated, “We’re going to chase you until you disappear, you bastard,”.
“Initially, I brushed it off as a joke, but then the next morning I received another message: ‘How’s the fight against Rio Tinto going?’ It came from an unfamiliar profile, and the app indicated the sender was only 500 meters away,” recounted Matkovic, a prominent activist involved in protests against proposed lithium mines in Serbia. “Keep away,” he added.
While in Split visiting a friend, Matkovic, who resides in Belgrade, felt as though he was being followed, especially given the recent mass protests against Rio Tinto’s plan to construct a $2.4 billion lithium mine in Serbia’s Jadar Valley.
“I scanned the area and thought, ‘What is happening?’ It was unsettling, contemplating the possibility of someone tailing me, so I reached out to my lawyer. Soon thereafter, I received a third, more menacing message,” he shared.
The third message, written in German, stated: “We are aware of your ties to the leaders of the uprising. It all commenced with you. Even if you commit a heinous act and vanish, we will hunt you down. However, you won’t be able to turn to the authorities for help, because you know it’s futile. Rest assured, if you value your life and freedom, stay out of the public eye for some time. Conduct yourself impeccably on social media. Understand that you must fear for your safety and that of your sibling.”
Following this, Matkovic reported the threat to Belgrade police, who are presently investigating the matter based on the threat and related documents seen by the Guardian.
This rapidly evolving situation is intricate and carries repercussions beyond the Belgrade prosecutor’s office.
The opposition to the lithium mine in Serbia has evolved into a focal point for societal discontent, uniting ultranationalists, environmentalists, leftists, and individuals concerned about economic ties with the West and the domestic environment. Groundwater contamination is a pressing issue.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic recently issued a warning, accentuating the reported plotting of a “color revolution” by the opposition in the Balkans.
Serbia, a former Yugoslav republic, boasts substantial lithium reserves crucial for electric vehicle batteries. The EU has committed to banning a minimum of 10% of critical minerals, including lithium, from European mining operations by 2030.
Julia Poliscanova, director of vehicles and supply chains at the think tank Transport and Environment, emphasized the necessity of lithium for European transport electrification. She stressed the importance of sourcing lithium sustainably and responsibly to support Europe’s transition towards electric mobility.
In response to the threats against Matkovic, Rio Tinto denounced violence, affirming, “Rio Tinto vehemently condemns any direct or implicit threats of violence, whether online or in person, against individuals engaged in discussions regarding the Jadar project.”
Rio Tinto employees have faced online threats and intimidation during local protests, highlighted a company spokesperson.
To safeguard himself and his family following multiple distressing emails, Matkovic has taken precautions, including seeking refuge at various European embassies in Belgrade. Additionally, he intends to request intervention from the UN Special Rapporteur on environmental activists.
“Since August 14th, my life has been a precarious blend of normalcy and turmoil,” Matkovic reflected. “How does this fit into our strategy for combating climate change? What does the green transition we aspire to entail if it necessitates violence?”
Source: www.theguardian.com
