Surge in SLAPPs Hits Serbia’s Independent Media Hard
Cenzolovka 18.07.2024 | Danijel Apro
Intimidatory lawsuits intended to silence journalists and media freedom activists by draining their resources have proliferated in Serbia, where there is no specific legislation to curb aggressive litigation by the rich and powerful.
Foto: Marko Risović Monday July 15 was a hot summer day in Belgrade, but what was supposed to be an easy start to the week soon turned out to be anything but. A blue envelope arrived at the Slavko Curuvija Foundation, announcing a lawsuit for alleged defamation. The moment the staff opened it, they recognised the name of the person suing them: Ratko Romic, a former operative at Serbia’s Department of State Security. Years earlier, Romic had been indicted for his