The Basic Court in Loznica, Serbia, has convicted retired police officer of endangering the safety of Vladimir Mitrić, a journalist for Večernje Novosti (https://www.novosti.rs/c/tag/579/loznica) from Loznica. In a retrial held on 4 November 2024 the court sentenced this former policeman to a one-year prison term, suspended for six months, and imposed a three-year restraining order, prohibiting him from approaching or communicating with Mitrić.
This verdict is not yet final, as both the prosecution and this individual have the right to appeal.
In a prior ruling in February 2023, the former policeman was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and fined 40,000 RSD (341.92 EUR) for insulting Mitrić. However, the Šabac, Serbia, Higher Court overturned the part of the decision related to endangering safety, sending it back to the Loznica court for reconsideration. The defamation ruling, however, was upheld.
The policeman faced these charges due to an incident where he allegedly said that Mitrić will get beaten again for sure, while insulting Mitrić at a restaurant in 2022. After insulting him, the policeman then said to him allegedly according to media reports in Serbia, “That guy will beat him up again, I know for sure.”
The Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Loznica initiated charges for endangering safety under Article 138 of the Criminal Code, which defines such threats as punishable by fines or imprisonment. Mitrić filed a separate private lawsuit for defamation, and the court combined the cases into a single proceeding.
The court found that the policeman’s words triggered fear and anxiety in Mitrić, who has been under police protection since 2005 following a brutal attack outside his home. The judge highlighted Mitrić’s persistent sense of insecurity stemming from past events and emphasized that personal safety under the law also accounts for subjective feelings of threat.
Mitrić expressed relief over the court’s recognition of the former policeman guilt, emphasizing that the acknowledgment of wrongdoing and the detailed reasoning behind the judgment were more significant to him than the sentence itself.
Mitrić has faced threats and attacks throughout his career, including a 2005 incident where he was severely beaten after reporting on sensitive topics. The assault, carried out by a police officer, was described by Mitrić as an attempted murder. Despite extensive legal proceedings, the attacker received lenient sentences and avoided full accountability. Mitrić continues to face threats and harassment, including recent verbal abuse and threats to his safety. While the journalist acknowledges improvements in judicial impartiality and support from local police, his investigative work, which exposes corruption and crime, remains a source of danger. His persistent efforts have contributed to the exposure and prosecution of corrupt officials, highlighting the risks journalists face in holding powerful figures accountable. Vladimir Mitrić has lived under police protection for 18 years after being beaten in 2005.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) commends the Basic Court in Loznica, Serbia for delivering a decision that upholds justice and underscores the importance of protecting journalists from threats and harassment. The court’s acknowledgment of the harm caused to Vladimir Mitrić and its detailed reasoning in the judgment set a strong precedent for safeguarding freedom of the press. SEEMO will continue to monitor this case closely, ensuring that the rights and safety of journalists remain a priority in the judicial process.
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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