Investigative journalist Avdo Avdić, editor-in-chief of news portal Istraga.ba (https://istraga.ba/), is facing serious threats following revelations of a murder plot orchestrated by alleged drug lord. The state institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina were alerted through international police channels about alleged plan by one person to kill Avdić in retaliation for reporting.
On 5 December 2024 this individual was arrested in one country close to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Avdić’s reporting has extensively covered this individual’s allegedly criminal network. Despite this person’s arrest, the threat against Avdić remains, prompting calls for heightened police protection. Journalistic associations, including the BH Journalists Association (BH Novinari – https://bhnovinari.ba/en/), have condemned both the threats from criminal networks and the defamatory rhetoric by some Bosnian officials aimed at discrediting Avdić.
This case highlights the need for stronger safeguards for journalists working under constant threat, as attacks on media freedom not only endanger individual lives but also erode democracy itself.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the threats made against Bosnian journalist Avdo Avdić, recognizing this as a direct attack on press freedom and journalist safety. SEEMO calls on authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to promptly investigate these threats, ensure Avdić’s protection, and take necessary actions to deter such behavior. These threats are particularly alarming given the essential role of journalists in holding power to account. SEEMO will closely monitor this case to ensure that justice is pursued and that the safety of media professionals is upheld.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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