Vladimir Mitrić, a journalist who is working for Novosti daily (https://www.novosti.rs/c) from Loznica, Serbia, has found himself embroiled in a legal saga spanning over 18 years. The long-standing dispute with a former police officer convicted of assaulting him continues, as the convicted persistently evaded paying court-ordered expenses.
Vladimir Mitrić is living under constant police protection.
This ongoing legal battle not only underscores the individual debt owed to him but also raises concerns about systemic issues. Mitrić’s frustration extends beyond personal grievances, pointing out that allegedly even state dues from the convicted individual remain outstanding, despite inquiries directed at the local judiciary.
The origins of Mitrić’s ordeal date back to 12 September 2005 when he was brutally attacked just steps away from a gathering where four off-duty policemen were present, alongside individuals with purported ties to law enforcement. This assault, preceded by a series of threats and vehicle vandalism, prompted authorities to provide Mitrić with continuous police protection, citing its alleged direct linkage to his investigative journalism. His reporting, ranging from environmental abuses along the Drina River to alleged organized crime, has frequently placed him at odds with powerful interests, earning him both accolades for journalistic courage and enduring threats to his safety.
From 1985 to 1986, Vladimir Mitrić worked as a journalist for the newspaper “Za Pobedu,” the voice of the Third Army of the Yugoslav People’s Army. He continued as a journalist at RTV “Podrinje” (https://rtvpodrinje.rs/) in Loznica from 1988 to 1995, also serving as a war reporter for TV Novi Sad and an honorary collaborator with “Večernje Novosti” and Radio Belgrade from 1992 to 1995. Since 1996, he has been a correspondent based in Loznica.
Mitrić has received several awards for his journalism, including the 2003 “Novosti” Annual Award, the 2006 “Milan Pantić” Award for journalistic courage, and the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award “Slobodan Glumac.” He is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Bishop Nikolaj, the Charter “Captain Miša Anastasijević,” and the Charter and Plaque of the City of Loznica, as well as commendations from the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is monitoring the case and is asking the Serbian authorities to help Mitrić to solve the problems.
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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