ANEM REPORT: Convicting verdict for threats against Ljiljana Stojanović and the editorial team of Jugpress from Leskovac.

The injured party, Ljiljana Stojanović, emphasized after the verdict was pronounced that she is, on one hand, satisfied with the ruling, but has a complaint regarding the lengthy court process. She stated that the accused "could have carried out the threat a hundred times by now if he wanted to."

The Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) reminds that in December 2024, Vladimir Stojanović from Bratmilovac near Leskovac sent a comment from his Facebook profile "Vlada Dekorativa" to the Jugpress editorial office, which read: "@Jugpress, I think this Vlada Stojanović will come knocking at your door tomorrow to tell you what problem he has from lower grades, and I think he will .ebati everything, don't hold me to my word, but oh well. You're to blame, papa."

After the editor-in-chief responded that he would be reported, Stojanović sent a new comment: "@JUGpress, say hi to her, say hi to her, remember tomorrow morning." Additionally, from another account, he sent a comment to the Jugpress Facebook page stating, "the fascist news agency deletes comments because they don't fit Kurti's style; I think it shouldn't have gotten personal with me, but that's your choice, press that works for Đilas and all the other traitors, but that can't happen in the LE."

These threats have caused distress and fear for Ljiljana Stojanović, who, besides being the editor-in-chief of the Jugpress agency and portal, is also a member of the Standing Working Group for the Security of Journalists (SRG). Due to the threats directed at them, other members of the Jugpress editorial office, an independent local media outlet, also experienced fear and distress.

The Special Department for the Fight Against High-Tech Crime has filed an indictment after identifying Vladimir Stojanović, proposing that he be sentenced to one year in prison, conditionally for three years, following the evidentiary procedure.

After the accused admitted his guilt and the injured party stated that she had seen him near the editorial office after the disputed post, the prosecutor also requested a restraining order preventing the accused from approaching the injured party's residence and workplace within 200 meters, as well as any other communication. "The Jugpress editorial office and Ljiljana Stojanović are continually under threat and other forms of security jeopardy. Despite numerous reports to the police and the prosecution, this is the first case that has been resolved judicially, resulting in the punishment of the perpetrator who confessed to the crime. However, this is only the tenth case resolved by a verdict out of nearly 250 cases reported to the prosecutor's offices in Serbia over the past year and a half. The number of threats and attacks on journalists this year has increased by 18 percent compared to last year's record," warned Veran Matić, a member of the Standing Working Group for the Security of Journalists and president of ANEM.

Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)

The project "Improving the System of Mechanisms for Prevention and Response in Cases of Threats to the Safety and Lives of Female and Male Journalists in Serbia" is being implemented by ANEM in partnership with Insider TV and the Center for the Development of Local Media, with the support of the European Union.