The SafeJournalists Network strongly condemns the online threats directed at journalists in Montenegro and Serbia in the previous days, most of which were triggered by their reporting and commentary related to the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, and calls on the competent authorities in both countries to urgently identify those responsible and take appropriate action.
A series of threats has been directed at journalists and media professionals in Serbia – Predrag Popović, Safeta Biševac, Marko Novičić and Zoran Kesić, as well as the N1 television newsroom.
Popović was also targeted following a smear campaign launched against him by tabloids, to which the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) had already responded. A new message posted on the social media platform X warned that Popović would have to “watch his back while walking through Belgrade” and stated that “they know where he lives.”
The N1 newsroom also received an explicit threat of arson. Under an article reporting on the European Commission’s position regarding the glorification of war criminals and genocide denial, a user identified as “Prajd” called on others to head to the television station and “burn down N1.”
Danas journalist Safeta Biševac also received threats following her appearance on N1 regarding Ratko Mladić’s funeral. A message posted on the N1 website referred to coming to the journalist’s “home address” and contained vulgar threats of sexual violence against her.
TV Nova presenter and editor Marko Novičić received threats and disturbing messages over a post on his personal Instagram account concerning the broadcast of Ratko Mladić’s funeral. The messages expressed wishes for his death, challenged him to meet in person and threatened him with physical violence. The most explicit message read: “When we get hold of you… We’ll tear you to pieces.”
Zoran Kesić was also threatened on the N1 website following his appearance concerning the cancellation of the satirical programme 24 Minutes with Zoran Kesić, which had aired on TV Nova. A user identified as “Luka” told him: “You need to be beaten with a stick.”
In Montenegro, Draško Đuranović, Editor-in-Chief of TV E in Montenegro recieved a threat in a comment on TV E’s YouTube channel, below a video clip featuring his editorial commentary in the news programme “24 sata”. In the video, he commented on the decision of the President of the Montenegrin Parliament, Andrija Mandić, to send condolences to the family of Ratko Mladić following his death.
Following the threat, Đuranović filed a criminal complaint against an unknown person using the YouTube account “Slavisa Gasic”, citing endangerment of his safety.
The SafeJournalists Network stresses that journalists must be free to report on matters of public interest, without fear of threats, intimidation or violence. Network warns that threats in Serbia are occurring in an atmosphere of continuous targeting of critical journalists and media outlets, in which tabloid smear campaigns and inflammatory public rhetoric frequently precede direct threats of violence.
We call on the police and the prosecution in both, Serbia and Montenegro, to react promptly and efficiently, identify the person responsible and ensure that the case is properly investigated and prosecuted. The authorities must send a clear message that journalists will not be left unprotected when they become targets of threats because of their professional work.
The SafeJournalists Network will continue to closely monitor this case and inform relevant national and international stakeholders about any developments.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica – Tirana, 9 September 2026
Association of Journalists of Albania
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
