ANEM alarm: Marko Marjanović, alias Kristal Met Dejmon, has been in digital captivity for three months.

The case that led to the “digital prison” for Marko Marjanović is discussed in the Media Scene Monitoring report for May:

“After being detained on April 17 for posting the phone numbers of three RTS journalists and the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on his account, the user of social network X, Marko Marjanović, signed as Kristal Met Dejmon, was banned from using social media, chat applications, YouTube, as well as attending registered and unregistered gatherings. The posted number was followed by the message:
‘I've found this photo somewhere on the internet. Please, people, I beg you not to call her or send her messages and photos [...]. I ask you all not to call and not to send silly jokes [...], people, please, I urge you not to do that.’

The prosecution has demonstrated speed and unfoundedness in interpreting the provisions of the Criminal Code in processing this case, with the aim of suspending freedom of expression.
Marjanović has been charged with the criminal offense of Stalking the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. It is not yet known whether she personally filed a criminal complaint or if the prosecution acted on its own initiative. For context, it is noted that the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia previously stated that a large number of people have her phone number, that she responds to everyone, even unknown numbers, and that she is called by various ‘ordinary people’ who cannot solve their problems.

For an act to be classified as the criminal offense of Stalking, it is necessary for a person, over a certain period of time, to persistently:

• illegally follow or take other actions aimed at physically approaching another person against their will;

• against their will, attempt to establish contact with them directly, through a third party, or via communication means;

• misuse information about them or a close person for the purpose of ordering goods or services;

• threaten harm to their life, body, or freedom, or that of a close person;

• take other similar actions in a manner that may significantly endanger their personal life.

“Persistence in the criminal offense of Stalking is seen as the repetition of an action aimed at achieving a specific goal (from the judgment of the Supreme Court of Cassation Kzz 53/2023 dated January 31, 2023).”

ANEM appeals for the immediate lifting of all measures that restrict the movement and public activities of Marko Marjanović, and that any determination of the existence of a crime should be established through private lawsuits by those who feel harmed.
The authorities are drastically violating fundamental human and civil rights on a daily basis. At the same time, those accused of attempted murder or causing serious bodily injury are being granted immunity from criminal prosecution.
We call on the institutions, primarily the competent prosecution and courts, to make the necessary decisions to annul the illegally adopted decisions that restrict the free movement and public activities of Marko Marjanović.

Veran Matić, President of the ANEM Supervisory Board and Member of the Permanent Working Group for Journalist Safety 

The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" is implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insajder TV and the Local Media Development Center, with the support of the European Union and the Balkan Fund for Democracy.