Balkan Legal News – 4 March 2026

The following media round-up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 25 February to 03 March 2026. Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.

Guernica 37 Balkan Legal News

Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria – 3 March 2026

A new report published on Tuesday by the Council of Europe-backed Safety of Journalists Platform says that press freedoms worsened in Europe in 2025, especially in Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria. According to the report, this decline was mitigated by initiatives in some States and at a European level, including the adoption of action plans to protect journalists and legislation in some countries to address issues such as abusive lawsuits, disinformation and source protection. The report is available here.

Montenegro – 2 March 2026

A court in the city of Niksic has ordered up to 30 days of pre-trial detention for businessman Aleksandar “Aco” Djukanovic, brother of former President Milo Djukanovic, on suspicion of illegal possession of weapons following a police raid at his family home. Police said several firearms, pieces of ammunition and ballistic vests were discovered during a search last Friday of the Djukanovic family home in the Rastoci area near Niksic. The investigating judge ruled that detention was necessary due to the risk that Djukanovic could flee justice. His defence has the right to appeal within 24 hours. The full article is available here.

Greece – 28 February 2026

Rallies are being organised in Athens, Thessaloniki and other Greek cities commemorating the third anniversary of the 28 February 2023 fatal train accident in Tempi that claimed the lives of 57 people and triggered political and social unrest. The Greek Actors’ Union and unions of private employees and freelancers are participating in demonstrations due to start at 12 noon Greek time, while the Civil Servants’ Confederation has also called on public-sector workers to participate in the protests. The full article is available here.

Kosovo – 27 February 2026

Opening statements started on 27 February 2026 at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague in the second trial against former President Hashim Thaçi, which also includes Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi. The initial indictment against the five defendants was confirmed on 29 November 2024 and amended on 16 April 2025. All five have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. The full article is available here.

Montenegro – 27 February 2026

Montenegro’s state road construction company Monteput on Friday signed an agreement worth 693.9 million euros with the consortium PowerChina-Stecol, PCCD, to build the second section of its strategic Bar-Boljare highway. Unlike the first section, this project is to be financed through EU money and not through loans from China. Monteput CEO Milan Ljiljanic said the Chinese contractor was selected through an international tender conducted under the rules of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD, adding that it had submitted the most competitive bid while meeting all technical requirements. The full article is available here.

Bosnia & Hercegovina – 26 February 2026

Bosnia’s public broadcaster, BHRT, shut down programmes on Thursday and broadcast a black screen with warning messages highlighting that the station could go dark permanently if piled-up debts are not paid in two days.  If the debt to the European Broadcasting Union, EBU, of 22 million Bosnian marks – 11.5 million euros – plus interest is not paid by the end of this month, BHRT’s bank accounts will be blocked until the debt is paid fully.  The full article is available here.

Bosnia & Hercegovina – 25 February 2026

The Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday sought detention for Dragoljub Kunarac, accused of wartime crimes in Foca in eastern Bosnia, citing the risk of his flight and public unrest after he was extradited from Germany to Bosnia the day before. At a hearing held after Kunarac’s transfer from Germany, where he had been serving a 28-year prison sentence imposed by the Hague war-crimes tribunal, the defence insisted that detention was unjustified, noting that he had not opposed coming to Bosnia to face charges. The full article is available here.

Kosovo – 25 February 2026

The Kosovo Liberation Army (“KLA”) War Veterans association has launched a national petition to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, calling for support for former leaders of the KLA on trial in The Hague. The petition requests that the decision regarding the former KLA leaders be based on evidence and facts presented at trial. “Any direct or indirect political influence would seriously damage the credibility of international justice, which we expect to be impartial and free from double standards”, the petition states. The full article is available here.

Western Balkans – 25 February 2026

The European Commission has proposed to open negotiations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to integrate them into the EU’s ‘Roam Like at Home’ regime. Once the agreements are finalised with each of the partners and once they have each fully aligned with EU roaming rules, people travelling between the EU and Western Balkans will be able to make calls, send text messages and use mobile data without roaming surcharges. The full article is available here.