ANEM ALARM: Disturbing threats to Radar columnist Predrag Simonović
The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) calls on the competent authorities to investigate the threats directed at Predrag Simonović, a columnist for the weekly magazine Radar, a regular member of NUNS, a retired member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and a member of the Working Group for the Investigation of the Murders of Journalists Slavko Ćuruvija and Milan Pantić at the Commission for the Investigation of Journalist Murders, established by the Government of Serbia.
On January 21, Radar published an article titled “A New UKP Takes the Stage – Personnel Solve Everything.” In the comments section on the Radar portal, a user under the name “Random Passerby” posted a comment stating, among other things: “...Perhaps the author should take a stroll by the frozen Danube in this winter weather to relieve his frustrations...”
This type of threat was reported to the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime by Veran Matić, the president of the ANEM Managing Board, a member of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists, and an operator on the Safe Line for Journalists at 0800 100 115.
Predrag Simonović lives near the Danube with his wife and minor child. He highlights as particularly significant the detail that just before the publication of this threat, he had been sitting with Radar journalist Milan Radonjić, who that same week published an article about Sky communications, in a café next to the “Danube Terrace” restaurant. Therefore, there is a possibility that the unknown individual who left the comment had knowledge of that situation. Additionally, Simonović is aware from the media that Vladimir Cvijan was found dead in the Danube, and he perceives the aforementioned comment, in that context, as a serious threat.
We remind that on August 19, 2025, Predrag Simonović reported threats he received via the social network Facebook to the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime, following his appearance on Nova S television, where he spoke about police conduct during protests. At that time, he noted that he recognized individuals from a criminal background behind the police cordon, including Đorđe Prelić, convicted of the murder of French supporter Brice Taton, as well as Jovan Kecman, who in 2014 in Novi Sad shot a former police officer, D.B.
An individual on Facebook identifying as Ljubomir Arsić left a comment at that time: “You eat shit, mutt, your house is wrapped in black,” which constitutes a direct threat that Simonović and his family would have their “house wrapped in black.”
“We call on the relevant authorities to urgently investigate the mentioned threats, identify the perpetrators, and take legally prescribed measures for their prosecution. Given that Predrag Simonović is a member of NUNS, regularly writes for Radar, participates in public debates in other media on topics for which he is professionally specialized, and has been a member of the Working Group for the Investigation of the Murder of Journalist Slavko Ćuruvija, it is clear that there are serious reasons to be concerned for his safety, as well as the safety of his family,” stated Veran Matić.
Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)
The project "System for the Prevention of Violence and Protection of Journalists" is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insajder TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.
The OSCE Mission in Serbia supported ANEM's project “24/7 SOS Telephone Line for Assistance to Journalists and Other At-Risk Media Workers” as part of the project funded by the European Union “Strengthening Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in Serbia.”
