Serbia: EU Candidate Status Questioned Amid Silence on Journalist Death Threats

The Srbija Centar (SRCE) party has strongly condemned the inaction of Serbian institutions in response to death threats directed at N1 journalist Danica Vučenić and her family. SRCE asserts that this silence is unacceptable for a country aspiring to join the European Union and sends a dangerous signal that journalists in Serbia are vulnerable to unpunished attacks.

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The silence of Serbian institutions, which have not lifted a finger even after the official report of horrific death threats against N1 journalist Danica Vučenić and her family to initiate an international investigation, is not only unacceptable for a country candidate for EU membership but also dangerous because it sends a message that hunting journalists in Serbia is allowed and unpunished.

SRCE highlighted that both Slovenian police and postal services have confirmed that Serbian authorities have not yet sought information regarding a threatening letter sent from Maribor. The party views this lack of engagement as direct evidence of institutional complicity in the persecution of independent journalists. The letter, sent from Maribor to N1's address, contained graphic threats against Vučenić and her family.

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The fact that the Slovenian police and Post of Slovenia have officially confirmed that Serbian competent authorities have not yet contacted them for information regarding the letter sent from Maribor is direct evidence of institutional complicity in the persecution of free journalists.

"The state that does not want to protect its journalists and their families loses all legitimacy and openly sides with crime and intimidation," SRCE stated. The party demanded that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the relevant prosecutor's office formally request information from Slovenian authorities within 24 hours to locate the sender. Furthermore, SRCE called for an immediate internal investigation within the police and prosecution services to identify who is deliberately obstructing the investigation, which began on June 13 after the case was officially reported. SRCE also urged public officials to cease targeting journalists from N1 and other independent media outlets, arguing that their silence and inaction directly inspire such "monstrous attacks."

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We will kill your loved ones, you mare.