Attacks on media outlets and organizations, Novosti, Zagreb, 5.2.2025.

CJA •︎ 06/02/2025

Attacks on media outlets and organizations, Novosti, Zagreb, 5.2.2025.

Translations: Zagreb 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Zagreb
  • Who was attacked?
    Organization

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Novosti
  • Type of media platform
    Printed Media
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    Media

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    05.02.2025
  • City
    Zagreb
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Not known
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    Post mail
  • Type of incident
    Attacks on media outlets and organizations
  • Type of attack
    Other attacks

  • Action by the authorities

  • Police action
    The police were immediately notified, and officers from the Zagreb Police Department arrived at the newsroom to conduct an investigation. At the time, journalists were finalizing the latest issue, but they, along with the police officers, were required to remain in the office until the potential danger of the unknown powder was assessed. Experts from the Croatian military, likely specialists in nuclear, biological, and chemical defense, analyzed the substance on-site, after which everyone was allowed to leave the premises. The letter and the powder were confiscated, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the sender and the exact composition of the substance.
  • Legal status of the case
    The procedure is in the phase of gathering information about all the circumstances of the case
    The procedure is in the investigative phase
  • Type of violation
    Security threat

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes

On Wednesday, February 5th, the editorial office of Novosti received a threatening letter addressed to the editor-in-chief. The letter contained an unknown powder, and the message included the word “Novichok,” referring to the nerve agent used by Russian intelligence services to eliminate opponents of Putin’s regime. The letter also stated that this was “for the 25th anniversary of Chetnikism in Novosti,” clearly referencing the recent celebration of the newspaper’s 25th anniversary. At the end of the message, an offensive curse was included.