Reality TV star's abuse case tests Serbia's legal system
Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
Analysis
Named sources
Under investigation
- Reality TV personality Kristina Spalević reported her ex-partner Kristijan Golubović for domestic violence nearly five months ago.
- The case highlights systemic responses to domestic violence, animal abuse, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
- Spalević claims Golubović also caused the death of their dog, sharing a video as evidence, and alleges authorities have not provided adequate protection despite multiple reports.
A case involving reality TV star Kristina Spalević and her former partner Kristijan Golubović is drawing attention to Serbia's system for handling domestic violence and related offenses. Spalević publicly accused Golubović of abuse nearly five months ago, and the situation has since escalated, involving allegations of animal cruelty and the non-consensual distribution of intimate media.
I would rather die of hunger and thirst than go through all this that is happening to me.
Spalević has detailed her experiences on social media, including a hunger strike announcement. She claims Golubović has subjected her to ongoing abuse, despite multiple reports filed with the police and restraining orders issued against him. The situation intensified when Spalević shared a video she claims shows Golubović harming their dog, which subsequently died. This incident led to widespread media coverage and public outcry.
"If someone can harm an animal, then they can harm a child," Spalević stated, explaining her decision to share the video. She asserts that she did not share it out of revenge but due to a perceived lack of protection from authorities following her previous reports of violence. She described Golubović as someone who gives a statement to the police and then "continues to harass everyone around him."
If someone can harm an animal, then they can harm a child.
The Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia (CINS) has analyzed the institutional response to Spalević's reports, examining police statements and expert interviews. Vanja Macanović from the Autonomous Women's Center emphasized the importance of risk assessment meetings involving relevant authorities. However, the Second Basic Public Prosecutor's Office declined to comment on whether such meetings would occur, citing potential risks to the victim's interests and the confidentiality of the proceedings. Responses from the Ministry of Interior and the Voždovac Center for Social Work were pending at the time of reporting. Spalević confirmed she has been questioned by the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime, but only regarding the video involving the dog.
He goes, gives a statement (to the police), walks home and continues to harass everyone around him.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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