Balkan Legal News - 7 June 2024

The following media round-up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 30 May 2024 to 6 June 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.

Guernica 37 Balkan Legal News

Balkans - 6 June 2024

Prison populations and incarceration rates in the Balkans are too high and continuing to grow, according to new research; see here.

North Macedonia - 6 June 2024

Politicians in North Macedonia are being blamed for aiding and abetting an escalation of hate speech on social media ahead of nationwide elections in April and May; see here.

Moldova - 6 June 2024

High-level sources in the Moldovan Intelligence Services told BIRN that the prosecution is preparing a treason case against General Igor Gorgan, who is suspected of spying for Russia; see here.

Kosovo - 6 June 2024

Kosovo’s government broke its own laws in expropriating more than 100 parcels of land in Serb-populated areas of the north, according to five Western powers, the EU and OSCE; see here.

Slovakia - 5 June 2024

The Slovak prime minister, Robert Fico, has blamed the country’s opposition for fostering the “hatred” that led to his assassination attempt in his first appearance since he was seriously wounded in a shooting three weeks ago; see here.

Montenegro - 5 June 2024

For the first time, a man is on trial in a Montenegrin court on charges that include rape as a crime of war. While the landmark case could help other victims come forward, it has been repeatedly undermined by procedural delays; see here.

Kosovo - 5 June 2024

Journalists in Kosovo reporting on war crimes trials face significant challenges in courts in Kosovo and at Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Journalists must deal with restrictions on physical access, limited information, a lack of transparency, and language issues; see here.

Serbia - 4 June 2024

Tefik Mustafa was arrested on Saturday at a border crossing on suspicion of involvement in the abduction of three Serbian police officers at the end of the 1998-99 Kosovo war; see here.

Bosnia - 3 June 2024

The Bosnian state court convicted wartime Bosnian Serb Army soldier Zoran Ilic of the forced disappearances of 16 Bosniak civilians who were seized by troops near Rogatica in June 1992; see here.

Serbia - 3 June 2024

Telecoms companies in Serbia and Montenegro are offering extra security software to mobile phone users for a fee – but they’re not a comprehensive answer to online risks, according to experts; see here.

Bosnia - 31 May 2024

Bosnia’s state court has confirmed its first-instance verdict and cleared Bosnian Serb Army company commander Rade Macura of involvement in war crimes in a village in the Bosanska Gradiska area in 1992; see here.