**Activist Accuses Documentary of Vilifying Serbs**
A documentary shown in the European Parliament about Rio Tinto’s mine project in Serbia has sparked controversy. Activists from the Ne Damo Jadar organization claim that the film portrays local people as “barbarians” and Russian agents.
Nebojsa Petkovic, an activist with the group, told N1 that the documentary is a propaganda project paid for by the Serbian government. He said that Peter Tom Jones, who made the film, is known to insult activists and has ties to Rio Tinto.
The Jadar project was abandoned in 2022 after mass protests forced then Prime Minister Ana Brnabic’s government to give up on it. However, the project was reinstated in 2024 with the backing of President Aleksandar Vucic.
Activists are now facing renewed pressure from the authorities. A debate is being organized in Bogatic to issue permits for lithium and borite exploration. Petkovic said that activists are worried about the growing anger among the public towards the mine project.
The documentary’s author, Peter Tom Jones, accused “very loud people” of being dishonest when they spoke on behalf of the local community. However, Serbian scientists have expressed concern about misinformation in the film and warned that it could lead to a brutal battle between the government and protesters.
**Rio Tinto’s Lithium Mine Project**
The Jadar project is a lithium mine planned for western Serbia. The project has faced mass protests, which forced the government to abandon it initially. However, the authorities reinstated it in 2024 with President Vucic backing it as the most profitable economic project in the country‘s history.
**Activists Under Pressure**
Activists opposing the mine are under renewed pressure from the authorities. A debate is being organized in Bogatic to issue permits for lithium and borite exploration. Petkovic said that activists are worried about the growing anger among the public towards the mine project.
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