Sarajevo, August 19, 2025 –  The Sttering Committee of the BH Journalists Association (BHJA SC) and the Free Media Help Line 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 the sanctioning of the attackers.

The attack took place this afternoon in the Grbavica neighborhood of Sarajevo, when an unknown young man approached Avdić from behind, hit him hard and threatened to “break his legs”. Immediately after the attack, the journalist began filming the attacker, who continued with verbal insults and asked Avdić “is that enough for you”, “do you want more”, referring to the blows. At the same time, hateful messages began to spread on social networks, labeling Avdić as a “traitor”. One of the Facebook profiles clearly stated: “Avda should be killed, because a traitor should only be shot, there is no mercy for a traitor”.

According to information available to BH Novinari, 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  the statement to BH Novinare, 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 between Muslims and Catholics in that city by holding a Muslim ceremony in Široki Brijeg.

The Sttering Committee of the BH Journalists Association once again emphasizes that any form of violence – verbal and physical – is unacceptable in a democratic society!

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 elements or radical groups, but also from high-ranking officials and politicians. This, today’s 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, BH Journalists and the legal team of theFree Media Help Line 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 journalists. We also demand enhanced security measures and constant police escort of this journalist, considering the real risks to his life and the life of his family.

Sttering Committee of BH Journalists

Foto: N1