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The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
expresses deep concern over the arrest of Colombian sociology
professor Dr. Miguel Ángel Beltrán Villegas at Belgrade Airport on
June 29, 2025. Professor Beltrán, who was in Serbia on a private
visit with his family, was detained without clear explanation, under
accusations of terrorist activities that had already been dismissed
by Colombian courts.
We remind the public that Professor Beltrán was
acquitted twice before the Colombian judiciary — in 2011 and 2016 —
and that the charges brought against him were then assessed as
politically motivated and unfounded. The arrest in Serbia was most
likely carried out on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice, issued at
the request of Colombian authorities, despite the fact that such a
notice is no longer legally grounded or valid.
We call on the relevant authorities of the
Republic of Serbia to:
Immediately release Professor Beltrán and
his family;
Respect international law and Serbia’s
obligations regarding the protection of human rights;
Provide a transparent explanation of the
legal grounds for the arrest and any potential extradition request
Refrain from cooperating with politically
motivated notices that abuse the international justice system.
If Serbia continues to carry out arrests without
legal basis, it risks serious consequences for its international
reputation, particularly in light of its obligations as a member of
the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
We express our full solidarity with Professor
Beltrán, his family, and all academics around the world who are
targets of political repression.
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