Tineke Strik calls on Croatian authorities to reconsider decision to ban entry of Bosnian journalist Avdo Avdić.

Member of the European Parliament, Tineke Strik, has reacted to the decision of Croatian authorities to ban entry of Bosnian journalist Avdo Avdić, stressing that such a move violates the fundamental principles of media freedom promoted by the European Union.

– “If we ask candidate countries to respect freedom of the media, then the EU member states must do the same. The ban on journalists is in complete contradiction with this principle. I call on the Croatian authorities to reconsider this decision,” said Strik.

As a reminder, Avdić tried to enter Croatia yesterday at the Gradiška border crossing, but was turned back by border officials without a clear explanation. According to him, he was told that he was on the national register of persons banned from entering the country.

Avdić received a Decision on Refusal of Entry from the Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs, stating that a warning had been issued for him for the purpose of banning entry.

This decision caused numerous public reactions and raised serious questions about respect for media freedom within the European Union, especially when it comes to journalists from candidate countries for membership.

Source and photo: BUKA