Balkan Legal News - 1 November 2024
- Nov 1, 2024
- 2 min read
The following media round-up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 25 October 2024 – 31 October 2024. 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.
Bosnia – 31 October 2024
The Bosnian state court has confirmed a three year prison sentence handed down to the former Defence minister Selmo Cikotic, convicted for abuse of office in a corruption case in relation to weapons sales made during his time in office from 2009-2011. The appeal for a tougher sentence was brought by the Bosnian Prosecutor; See here.
Serbia/Montenegro – 31 October 2024
The US treasury department announces sanctions against 275 individuals and entities in 17 jurisdictions involved in supplying military equipment to Russia which aids the Russian war effort against Ukraine. Included in the list is a company in Serbia owned by a Hungarian national, and a company in Montenegro owed by a Russian national. See here.
Croatia – 30 October 2024
Boris Ruge, Acting Deputy Secretary General of NATO, has visited Zagreb to gather support during an ongoing row between Croatian leaders over joining NATO’s Assistance and Training Programme from Ukraine (NSATU). Croatian membership has been subject of fierce debate in recent weeks between Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, who has given permission for Croatia’s military to serve in all foreign missions except for NSATU, arguing that it would risk bringing Croatia into direct conflict with Russia. See here.
Kosovo – 30 October 2024
The Kosovo Police inspectorate has recommended the suspension from duty of two Police officers accused of beating a Kosovo Serb lawyer while in police custody in North Mitrovica. Milos Subotic, who denies the charge, had been arrested for vandalising a shop front in the town. See here.
Serbia – 30 October 2024
The European Union has said that Serbia should reconsider its draft law declaring Kosovo ‘a Special Zone of Social Protection’, as it breaches obligations that Serbia has undertaken during dialogue in relation to normalisation of relations with Pristina. See here.
Albania – 29 October 2024
Opposition protestors in Albania have continued their campaign of Civil Disobedience, against the government of Edi Rama, blocking six roads in towns across the country, and vowing to continue until the government resigns. The opposition is demanding the appointment of a technocratic caretaker government until elections in 2025, and the release of opposition leader Sail Berisha, currently under house arrest since 2023 following corruption charges. See here
Bosnia – 29 October 2024
A teenager has walked into a police station in Bosanska Krupa and stabbed a policeman to death, and wounded another, in a suspected terrorist attack. Three suspects have been held on terrorism charges in relation to the incident. See here.
