False accusations and detention of journalists, Danijel Radic i Robert Bajtai, Zrenjanin, 26.03.2020.

Translations: Beograd 

• Case info

• Personal info

• Regional center

  RS
• Who was attacked?

  Group
• Group members' names and surnames

  Danijel Radić i Robert Bajtai

• Media outlet

• Name of the media outlet

  KTV Zrenjanin
• Type of media platform

  Radio
  
• Source of information about the incident

  UNS

• Incident Data

• Date of incident

  26.03.2020
• City

  Zrenjanin
• Perpetrator(s)

  Known (suspected)
• Attacked by

  Authorities - individuals
  
• Type of incident

  Actual attacks on journalists

• Action by the authorities

• Action taken by the journalists' association

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

  Yes

Zrenjanin police arrested  KTV reporter and cameraman on a report from the city’s local government for allegedly refusing to carry out mandatory disinfection when entering the City Administration building. Reporters were ordered detention for  48 hours, and the prosecution said there was a suspicion that they had committed the criminal offense of Failure to Comply with Health Regulations During the Epidemic.

However, the footage of this television from the City Hall in Zrenjanin shows that the reporter had a mask and gloves, and at the same time it is obvious that many of the employees and officials in the administration are not properly protected.

KTV owner Danica Radic says her employees have been arrested under false accusation that they did not disinfect themselves and that this is an  abuse of the state of emergency out of revenge because of the television station’s recent coverage of suspicious businesses while building a water plant.

The KTV team came to the City Hall to obtain a statement from the local authorities regarding the announcement of holding a public auction for the lease of state agricultural land despite the state of emergency, which is a matter of public interest, adhering to epidemic protection measures, and apparently no justifiable reason  exists for them to be prosecuted.

Two days later, the prosecution filed criminal charges on reasonable doubt for committing the criminal offense of Failure to Comply with Health Regulations During the Epidemic, and journalists were released from detention to defend themselves in due process.