Balkan Legal News

Weekly update: 13 April – 20 April 2023

The following media round up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 13 April to 20 April 2023.

Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, 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.

Kosovo 20 April 2023

The arrest of the director of the Kosovo Energy Corporation, who has ties to the ruling party, has sparked diverging reactions – with government MPs calling it ‘revenge’ and the opposition hailing it as proof of government abuse of the energy sector. The full article can be found here.

Macedonia – 19 April 2023

Planned legal changes to Freedom of Information laws seem to be designed to make it even harder for journalists to hold the authorities accountable. The full article can be found here.

Czech Republic – 19 April 2023

Despite sanctions, a Czech Republic think tank Datlab estimates public tenders worth 2.5 billion euros were awarded to companies tied to Russia since the invasion. The full article can be found here.

Kosovo – 18 April 2023

Lawmakers in the European Parliament agreed a long-awaited end to visa requirements for Kosovo citizens to enter the Schengen area. The full article can be found here.

Montenegro – 18 April 2023

Human rights organisations called on prosecutors to reopen an investigation into the killings of six Kosovo Albanian civilians by Yugoslav Army troops in the Montenegrin village of Kaludjerski Laz in 1999. The full article can be found here.

Bulgaria – 17 April 2023

Following a knife-edge general election, Bulgaria looks no closer to ending years of political crisis, raising concerns among some about the country’s pro-Western orientation. The full article can be found here.

Kosovo – 14 April 2023

Decision to hear the first witness in the trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his three co-defendants in closed session raises concerns about transparency, experts say. The full article can be found here.

Bosnia and Herzegovina – 14 April 2023

Bosnia and Herzegovina lack the tools to counter millions of cyber-attacks a month, a report compiled by BIRN and the Centre for Cybersecurity Excellence has warned, stressing the need for a more urgent response. The full article can be found here.