Burned vehicle of SAKAMDAKAZAM.MK’s correspondent from Ohrid, Suzana Vrencovska

AJM •︎ 06/01/2025

Burned vehicle of SAKAMDAKAZAM.MK’s correspondent from Ohrid, Suzana Vrencovska

Translations: Skopje 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Skopje
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Female
  • Victim(s) name
    Suzana Vrencovska

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    SAKAMDAKAZAM.MK
  • Type of media platform
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://sdk.mk/index.php/makedonija/zapalena-kolata-na-dopisnichkata-na-sakamdakazham-mk-od-ohrid/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    05.01.2025
  • City
    Ohrid
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Not known
  • Attacked by
    (ordinary) citizens
    Organized groups
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    Other means of incidents and attacks
  • Type of incident
    Attacks on media outlets and organizations
  • Type of attack
    Other attacks

  • 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

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) strongly condemns the incident in which the vehicle of SAKAMDAKAZAM.MK journalist Suzana Vrencovska from Ohrid was set on fire. The vehicle was ignited on January 5, 2025, in the yard of the family house, in the garage where it was parked. According to initial information, there is suspicion that this was a deliberately caused act. We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to determine all details and motives for this serious incident.

This case indicates a worrying trend of increased risks faced by journalists in the country. Additionally, this is not an isolated incident. In October 2024, the vehicle of colleague Blagoj Sersemov, editor of the local television and online media outlet M-Net from Štip, was also set on fire. Although the motives for these attacks have not yet been determined, it is important to emphasize that such incidents, if left unresolved, can create a sense of insecurity among journalists and undermine their work in serving the public interest.

We call on the competent institutions to take urgent and concrete measures to fully clarify both cases, and the perpetrators must be identified and appropriately sanctioned. It is unacceptable for impunity to exist and for space to be created for speculation in public discourse. Prompt action is crucial to preserving freedom of expression and preventing self-censorship among journalists.