Croatia has sent a diplomatic protest note to neighboring Serbia after Belgrade detained and deported five Croatian citizens who were taking part in a meeting of civil society organizations in the Serbian capital.

Croatia on Thursday recommended its nationals postpone non-essential travel to Serbia, alleging Belgrade had expelled five Croatian women citing security reasons.

Croatia has lodged a protest with Serbia after five Croatian citizens were deported from Belgrade during a civil society meeting. The incident has reignited tensions between the Balkan nations, with protests in Serbia over related governmental actions raising concerns about democratic freedoms and corruption.

A total of 13 foreign nationals were detained without explanation during the past night in Belgrade, after which they were expelled from Serbia with a one-year entry ban, one of the detainees told Autonomija.

Direct flights connecting the Serbian capital of Belgrade with various destinations along the Croatian coast are set to take off this summer.

Nine teams have already been eliminated from this season’s UEFA Champions League ahead of the final match day. These clubs have no remote chance of qualifying for the knockout stages no matter their result next week.

Protesters on the Belgrade-Zagreb highway in the Serbian capital. Photo: BIRN Students and their supporters blocked a major interchange and part of the Belgrade-Zagreb highway in Serbia’s ...

The UEFA Champions League has taken shape as nine teams have been eliminated from the competition ahead of the final match day. Bologna, Sparta Prague, RB Leipzig, Girona, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Salzburg, Slovan Bratislavia, and Young Boys have all been mathematically eliminated from the competition.