Actual attacks on journalists, Ivan Žada, Zagreb, 26.1.2025.

Actual attacks on journalists, Ivan Žada, Zagreb, 26.1.2025.

Translations: Zagreb 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Zagreb
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Male
  • Victim(s) name
    Ivan Žada
  • Media outlet

  • Source of information about the incident
    journalist, CJA
  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    26.01.2025
  • City
    Zagreb
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    Authorities - institutions
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    In person
  • Type of incident
    Actual attacks on journalists
  • Type of attack
    attack_detention
  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly

On January 26, at around 9:30 PM, Zagreb police entered the apartment of  Ivan Žada, took him to the Oranice Police Station, where he spent the night. The following morning, January 27, at around 9 AM, he was transported by police vehicle to the Municipal Court in Virovitica, where a hearing was scheduled for 8:30 AM regarding a defamation lawsuit filed against him by HDZ Member of Parliament and HVIDRA president, Josip Đakić. Žada claims he did not receive a summons for the hearing and emphasizes that he had regularly responded to previous court summons or provided valid excuses when unable to attend. Ultimately, the hearing before Judge Marina Kovačević was not held because Đakić’s lawyer had experienced the loss of a parent. Đakić sued Žada over a Facebook post, specifically a comment at the end of the post: “Nećeš razbojniče” (“You won’t, you bandit”). Đakić perceived this as defamation and an attack on his reputation, which led him to file the lawsuit. This is not the first lawsuit Đakić has filed against Žada. Although Žada is no longer an active journalist, the Facebook post that prompted Đakić’s lawsuit was written during his time as a journalist. Although Žada is no longer an active journalist, the Facebook post that prompted Đakić’s lawsuit was written during his time as a journalist.