A man with a large tattoo on his chest of Bosnian Serb wartime commander Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal, stands near a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on March 16.

No one is comparing Miljko Stojanovic to increasingly at-risk foreign journalists covering Russia’s invasion from the ground in Ukraine.

But even as a local correspondent for the Danas daily in eastern Serbia, he has faced death threats and other online abuse from a mostly anonymous digital mob since profiling a Ukrainian in his early 30s who found temporary shelter in Serbia after fleeing Lviv, in western Ukraine.

Stojanovic said the threats left him unwell enough to seek emergency medical care himself and have him worried for the safety of his family as well as for the war refugee in his story.

“I feel terrible,” he told RFE/RL’s Balkan Service from Zajecar, where he is a local correspondent for Danas. “What strikes me most is that this guy traveled 1,000 kilometers, escaped from the hell of war, and now he feels insulted and attacked here.”

Local police responded quickly to Stojanovic’s complaint, arresting an unnamed individual suspected of endangering public safety.

But his and other cases — against a backdrop of rallies in Belgrade to support Serbs’ Russian “brothers” — hint at the reach in the Balkans of Kremlin talking points and the perils of even appearing to blame Moscow for its unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

Stojanovic, who has expressed opposition to the war in Ukraine, said he was threatened “that something would happen to me if I accidentally met someone who was threatening me on the street in Zajecar,” a city of around 60,000 people.

Stojanovic said not all the insults and online attacks are anonymous; some include the names and surnames of the people who posted them.

Some of them accuse the young Ukrainian of opposing Orthodox Christianity and supporting Kosovo, a former Serbian province whose 2008 declaration of sovereignty is supported by more than 100 countries but still fiercely opposed by Belgrade and Moscow, among others.

Stojanovic also said some insults against the Ukrainian include suggestions that he is “a Nazi and not welcome in Serbia, as Ukraine is a fascist country.”

Such language echoes a long-standing and misleading characterization of the pro-Western governments that emerged in Ukraine after a pro-Moscow president was ousted by popular unrest in 2013-14.

Many Western analysts have noted the cruel irony of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stated justification of the invasion as the “de-Nazification” of a country led by a democratically elected president of Jewish descent, Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

A number of European states and their populations have mobilized to help accommodate many of the 3 million Ukrainian refugees who have already left their homeland since the Russian air, sea, and ground offensive began on February 24.

Serbia took in slightly more than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees in the first two weeks of the war, according to its Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic, a small fraction of the 6,000 or so places it has available, according to a leading NGO in the sector.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s close diplomatic, trade, and defense ties to Russia have long frustrated EU leaders already reluctant to enlarge the bloc to include Serbia and a handful of its post-Yugoslav neighbors.

He and other Serbian officials have sent mixed messages about the Ukraine war in the weeks ahead of crucial national and local elections on April 3.

Vucic has condemned the attack and reiterated Ukrainian “territorial integrity” but vowed that his overwhelmingly Orthodox country of around 7 million people wouldn’t join European sanctions targeting Russia. Belgrade joined a UN vote to condemn the Russian invasion.

This week, Belgrade buckled slightly when it confirmed it would join the European Union in sanctions targeting exiled former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, a Moscow ally.

But the speaker of the Serbian parliament, Ivica Dacic, pledged to Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Bocan-Kharcenko on March 15 that “Serbia will be guided by its national interests, and they imply that Serbia will not impose sanctions on Russia.”

A day earlier, the head of the diplomatic service of the EU’s foreign and defense structure known as the European External Action Service, Michael Siebert, had warned bluntly that “we are making it clear to Serbia what the price will be if the country is on the wrong side of the conflict.”

After EU and other European countries closed their airspace to Russian airliners, Air Serbia increased its routes to Russia. After ongoing pressure from the EU, the Serbian airliner has only reluctantly reduced its increased routes between Belgrade and Russia.

Thousands of Serbians have joined multiple demonstrations in the capital in support of Putin and Russia over the past three weeks, frequently appealing to Russians as “brothers.”

Meanwhile, the head of Serbia’s Independent Association of Journalists, Zeljko Bodrozic, has spoken of Stojanovic’s case and other “inconveniences” for local reporters stemming from their coverage of the conflict. He said that, unlike Stojanovic’s incident in Zajecar, most do not rise to the level of a threat.

Bodrozic said the association had options at its disposal to help journalists, including through a joint working group with relevant state institutions established six years ago, publicly calling out such behavior, or even turning to the Council of Europe.

He said he didn’t expect significant action in most cases, although “the state could easily react if the police and prosecutor’s office work independently.”

“However, in Serbia, it often comes down to the fact that the police and the prosecutor’s office have to get a wink from the authorities in order to deal more seriously with a case,” Bodrozic said.

Another journalist who has spoken publicly of threats he has received via social networks is Stevan Dojcinovic, editor of the respected Serbian investigative portal KRIK.

Dojcinovic said it was enough for someone on Twitter to condemn “Putin’s destruction of Ukraine or criticize one of his puppets” to become a victim of “cyberbullying.”

He blamed individuals he suggested were loyal to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), Putin, and the Russian war effort’s supporters, who have adopted a “Z” in response to markings on Russian military equipment in Ukraine.

“The army of Serbian Zputin bots is ready to [try to] seduce you,” Dojcinovic tweeted. “SNS bots are funny this way.”

Written by senior correspondent Andy Heil in Prague based on reporting in Belgrade by Sonja Gocanin.

Source: Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

The Russian authorities arrested journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, an editor with the Russian television channel Channel One, on 14 March. During the evening news, she appeared behind the presenter holding up a sign reading “No to war. Don’t believe the propaganda. They are lying to you. Russians against war”. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) demands the immediate release of the journalist.

Marina Ovsyannikova interrupted the evening broadcast on Russian state TV network Channel One on Monday with a sign blasting Russian war against Ukraine. “Stop the war, no to war!” she shouted. Ovsyannikova was promptly arrested. The authorities say she will face misdemeanor charges for violating Russia’s new ban on so-called “disinformation” about Russian army operations.

In a prerecorded message shared on social media after the live-television incident, Ovsyannikova said: “What is happening in Ukraine is a crime. And Russia is the aggressor here. And responsibility for this aggression rests on the conscience of a single man: Vladimir Putin. My father is Ukrainian. My mother is Russian. And they’ve never been enemies. And this necklace I’m wearing is a symbol of that fact that Russia must immediately end this fratricidal war. And our fraternal peoples will still be able to make peace. Unfortunately, I’ve spent many of the last few years working for Channel One, doing Kremlin propaganda, and I’m deeply ashamed of this. Ashamed that I allowed lies to come from the TV screen. Ashamed that I allowed the zombification of Russian people. We were silent in 2014 when all this had just started. We didn’t protest when the Kremlin poisoned Navalny. We just silently watched this anti-human regime at work. And now the whole world has turned its back on us. And the next 10 generations won’t wash away the stain of this fratricidal war. We Russians are thinking and intelligent people. It’s in our power alone to stop all this madness. Go protest. Don’t be afraid of anything. They can’t lock us all away.”

“The EFJ pays tribute to the courageous act of Marina Ovsyannikova, who acted as a true journalist in the face of the censorship imposed by the Kremlin and the propaganda machine of Putin’s regime,” said EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez. “Ovsyannikova’s ethical act reminds journalists that they are there to serve the truth and the public interest and not the special interests of those in power. We strongly condemn the charges against her and demand that they be dropped immediately.”

PODGORICA, 11.03.2021 – In the case of shedding light on the murder of the editor-in-chief of “Dana”, Dusko Jovanovic, there are some progress, it was stated in the latest report of the Commission for Monitoring the Competent Authorities in Investigations of Threats and Violence Against Journalists, Murders of Journalists and Attacks on Media Property.

It was specified that the Agency for National Security and the Police Directorate submitted the requested documentation regarding the case, which is marked with a degree of secrecy and with which only members who have permits can get acquainted. The commission’s report also raises the issue that a number of members still do not have permission to access classified information.

Between October 4, 2021, and February 10, 2022, the Commission analyzed 12 cases of attacks or threats against journalists to the detriment of 17 journalists and two attacks on the property to the detriment of one journalist and one media outlet.

“In two cases, according to the available documentation, the competent authorities fully implemented all necessary measures and actions to shed light on the attacks on journalists. In several cases, the Commission considers that the attacks have not been fully clarified / all measures and actions have been taken, “the report reads.

Analyzing the case of the attack on the TV N1 team from Sarajevo, in Cetinje, on September 5, 2021, the Commission determined that the state authorities, for unknown reasons, took a minimum number of actions to find the truth about this attack, although the documentation states that they had in their possession a CD on the event in question which had been delivered from N1 television.

Also, the Commission recommends that the competent Prosecutor’s Office, whenever a defendant is a returnee, or when he is convicted of criminal offenses with elements of violence, in addition to imprisonment or a fine, propose appropriate security measures, especially a restraining order.

The Commission recommends that the Police take statements from citizens by police officers in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, which was not the item in some cases.

PODGORICA, 10.03.2022 – Milos Jevtic from Niksic was sentenced to three months of house custody, because on March 14, 2021, he endangered Vijesti journalist Jelena Jovanovic and police officer Milinko Dragic with his reckless behavior.

After almost a year and published video recording of an attack, the Basic Court in Niksic passed a first instance verdict against the 40-year-old.

After closing the polls in the local elections in the town near Trebjesa, Jevtic first mistreated an officer of the Police Administration, and in the continuation of his “performance”, he removed a part from a parked vehicle and hit Jovanovic in the head with it.

“By committing violence against others, insolent and ruthless behavior, he endangered the victims Jovanovic Jelena and Dragic Milinko and disturbed public order and peace, in the way that, after several insults and threats against the police officer – the victim Dragic Milinko, tore the protective mask from his face, then took an unknown object from the passenger motor vehicle and shot in his direction and hit him in the head area – left ear, causing him minor bodily injury… after which he took another unknown object from the same vehicle and shot in the direction of the injured party… by which he hit the injured party Jelena Jovanovic, who on that occasion suffered a minor bodily injury”, it is stated in the verdict of Judge Vukota Vujacic.

The explanation states the defense of the defendant, in which he stated, among other things, that he had been consuming alcohol since that morning, and that due to his alcoholic state, he could not remember the event until he saw everything on television.

“In his closing argument, the defendant, personally and through his defense counsel, while adhering to the confession, pointed out that he was guilty and responsible for the crime charged against him by the prosecution, expressed real remorse… and suggested to the court that he milder punishments “, it is stated in the first instance verdict.

Jovanovic’s legal representative, lawyer Mladen Tomovic, stated that the first-instance verdict, in a sense, is a certain type of satisfaction for the injured who suffered a minor bodily injury while performing their work tasks.

“What is much more important is the fact that this verdict shows the conditions and circumstances in which journalists perform their work tasks, and that they are often exposed to the risk of violating their own, both mental and physical integrity. Such cases must be a strong alarm for state authorities to fully implement their legal competencies in order to ensure the safety of journalists and their safe and uninterrupted work, without which we cannot talk about media freedom in full”, said Tomovic.

He assessed that the compensation of non-pecuniary damage in civil proceedings, in relation to the valid court practice, cannot be adequate compensation for everything that the injured parties go through.

“And my opinion is that the courts in these cases should have a greater degree of sensitivity and follow the practice of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as comparable international practice related to journalists’ compensation claims. Certainly, such and similar events indisputably leave long-lasting traumas and can have a disincentive effect on the public in the future of the journalistic profession, which is why it is primarily up to the state to create adequate conditions for safe and uninterrupted work – both media and their employees”, said Tomovic.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have set up a special fund to support journalists in Ukraine. In just a few days, 15,000 euros were raised through the donor platform of these organizations, and UNESCO paid 49,000 euros to the IFJ Safety Fund.

According to IFJ and EFJ, all organizations and individuals can donate funds via the link: https://donorbox.org/donation-to-the-ifj-safety-fund-for-journalists-in-ukraine.

In addition to raising money for Ukrainian journalists, the IFJ-EFJ working group is in constant contact with their two Ukrainian affiliates, NUJU and IMTUU, in order to find the best ways to provide logistical support to journalist crews and reduce safety risks as much as possible.

Also, after intensifying media censorship in Russia, several hundred Russian journalists have indicated that they wish to leave the country. Some of them have already fled to Finland, Istanbul and Georgia. The IFJ and the EFJ have appealed to European governments to issue emergency visas to journalists currently stranded in Georgia and Istanbul.

The BH Journalists Association joins the action in support of journalists affected by the war in Ukraine and will also contribute for the IFJ Safety Fund.

SARAJEVO, March 8, 2022 – The Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association joins the request of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIRN BiH) for a public apology from the Federal Minister of Justice Mato Jozic for his extremely inappropriate behavior towards the journalist of this newsroom.

While working on the story about the procurement of cars in public institutions, BIRN BiH journalist Aida Trepanic called minister Mato Jozic asking his statement, but he insulted her during the conversation, used derogatory expressions and addressed her in an extremely high-pitched tone, not allowing her to ask questions or to talk to him. According to the BIRN editorial office, during the conversation Jozic called the journalist’s questions “stupid”, among other things, and asked her about her age without any reason. The editorial office of BIRN BiH sent a request for a public apology to Jozic’s cabinet, and they also wrote to federal prime minister Fadil Novalic about the incident. However, to date, they have not received answers from these institutions.

The Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association considers minister Jozic’s conduct during a conversation with a BIRN BiH journalist to be completely unprofessional and unacceptable for a public official. As an elected official, minister Jozic is obliged to answer questions that are in the public interest, which certainly includes the procurement of official cars and the way in which budget money is spent. Given that journalists in BiH are already accustomed to the non-transparency of representatives of government institutions, minister Jozic could also refuse to answer or comment on the mentioned topic. However, addressing a journalist who only did her job in an insulting and humiliating way, especially in the context of her gender and age, is inadmissible and violates the dignity of the function of the Minister of Justice, ie the person holding that position.

The Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association demands the urgency of prime minister Fadil Novalic and an official apology from minister Jozic to journalist Aida Trepanic and the editorial office of BIRN BiH, one of the most respected investigative media in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose journalists and editors have been awarded and recognized for years for their stories.

Steering Committee of the BH Journalists Association