The SafeJournalists Network (SJN) and European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) strongly condemn the physical attack on Avdo Avdić, editor of the Istraga portal, and demand an urgent investigation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Sarajevo Canton (MUP KS) and sanctioning of the attacker who was arrested and transferred to the Canton Sarajevo Prosecutor’s Office.
Avdo Avdić was attacked on August 19, in the street in Sarajevo, when an unknown young man approached Avdić from behind, hit him hard in the back and threatened to “break his legs”. Immediately after the attack, the journalist began filming the attacker, while he continued with verbal insults and asked Avdić “is that enough for you”, “do you want more?”, referring to the blows. At the same time, hate messages and labeling Avdić as a “traitor” began to spread through social networks. One of the Facebook profiles clearly stated: “Avdo should be killed, a traitor should only be shot, there is no mercy for a traitor”.
According to the available information, Avdić was physically attacked by Abdulaziz Musa, the son of Professor Sanin Musa, once a member of the Salafi community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and now the leader of the “Faith People State” movement. Sanin Musa is known in Bosnia and Herzegovina for his religious radicalism and attacks on dissenters, and recently attempted to hold a Muslim religious ceremony in Široki Brijeg, a predominantly Catholic community, but was prevented from doing so by the police.
In a statement to Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists Association (BHJA), Avdo Avdić confirmed that the possible motive for the attack was his critical writing about the actions and statements of Sanin Musa, as well as the author’s comments on Musa’s recent attempt to provoke conflicts in Široki Brijeg.
Of particular concern is the frequent, brutal and ongoing violence against journalist and editor Avdo Avdić, who is often the victim of attacks and threats not only from criminal circles or radical groups, but also from high-ranking officials and politicians. At the end of last year, a man from a criminal circle who was planning a murder of Avdić was arrested and Avdić got police protection. Previously, in 2024, Avdić was a victim of a number of threats from high-ranking politicians. This, latest escalation of violence against Avdić is a consequence of the impunity of previous attacks and threats, as well as the ineffective actions of the institutions responsible for investigating and prosecuting those behind the violence.
With full support and solidarity with Avdo Avdić, the SafeJournalists Network and European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) call on the police to conduct a professional and urgent investigation of this incident, questioning the attacker Abdulaziz Musa, as well as all other persons who spread hatred on their social media profiles and call for the murder of the journalist. We also demand enhanced security measures and constant police escort of Avdo Avdić, considering the real risks to his life and the life of his family.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, August 20, 2025
SafeJournalists Network
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
European Federation of Journalists
