The following media round-up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 23 January to 29 January 2025. 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 – 23 January
Bosnia’s former Security Minister, Nenad Nesic, has had his detention extended by two months on corruption charges, including bribery, money laundering, and abuse of office. Nesic, along with two others, was arrested in December 2024 for alleged corrupt practices during his time as director of a public road company. The prosecution cited attempted witness tampering as a reason for extending detention, though Nesic’s lawyer disputed the necessity. Nesic resigned as minister for "moral reasons," pledging to prove his innocence in court, while the parliament moves toward his dismissal.
See here.
Bosnia - 24 January
Mustafa Stovrag, a former Bosnian police officer, was sentenced to three years in prison for beating three Bosnian Serb prisoners of war in Gorazde in 1993. The court found that Stovrag violated the Geneva Conventions by assaulting the prisoners, causing severe physical harm. During interrogations, he demanded to know who killed his parents, and when prisoners didn’t answer, he beat them with a rubber baton. Stovrag denied the accusations, but the court rejected his defence, and the verdict can be appealed.
See here.
Bosnia - 27 January
Bruno Stojic, convicted for his role in crimes during the Bosnian War, has requested early release for the third time, expressing regret for his actions and commitment to rehabilitation. Stojic, sentenced to 20 years for his involvement in a criminal enterprise during the war, has completed counselling and reflected on his crimes, showing empathy for victims. His request, supported by a psychologist’s evaluation, emphasises that he accepts full responsibility. If released, Stojic promises to comply with Croatian authorities’ conditions, including remaining in Croatia and avoiding contact with victims.
See here.
Albania – 28 January
Italy’s controversial migrant offshoring plan continues as the third military ship carrying migrants arrived in Albania for processing under a deal between the two countries. The migrants will be detained in camps pending decisions by Italian judges, although previous attempts have been thwarted by court rulings that deemed some countries of origin unsafe. The plan, part of Italy’s broader effort to curb illegal immigration, faces criticism from human rights groups and legal challenges, particularly concerning the treatment of migrants from “unsafe” countries. Despite setbacks, the government hopes the deal will deter migration to Italy.
See here.
Serbia – 28 January
Serbia’s Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned amid mass protests over the fatal Novi Sad railway station tragedy and the violent response to student protests.
The disaster, which killed 15 people, sparked public outrage and demands for accountability, leading to the resignations of multiple government officials. Protesters, particularly students, are demanding transparency and justice over the incident, suspecting corruption or negligence.
The resignation follows a violent attack on protesting students, which Vucevic cited as the catalyst for his decision to step down.
See here
Kosovo – 28 January
Kosovo expects the newly appointed EU special envoy, Peter Sorensen, to mediate the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue with a fair and balanced approach, particularly in implementing the stalled 2023 normalisation deal. Sorensen, set to start his 13-month mandate on 1st February, will focus on facilitating comprehensive normalisation between the two countries. Kosovo’s deputy prime minister Besnik Bislimi emphasized that a successful dialogue depends on an impartial approach. Despite some progress, previous talks, including the 2023 missing persons agreement, faced setbacks, including Serbia’s refusal to engage in scheduled meetings.
See here.