NUNS and ANEM: Threats and attacks on journalists must be promptly sanctioned.

The day after the caricature of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić by Koraksić was published on the front page of "Danas," the editorial office received a threat via Facebook Messenger from an account belonging to a certain Mikica Kljajić, stating that it was possible they would be hit by a "bomb or a rocket launcher, and then they would be blown apart." The message concluded with the words that “they would come to their home soon.” The case has been reported to the Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime. This is not the first time the editorial staff of "Danas" has faced serious threats, with one of the most terrifying being that they would end up like the staff of "Charlie Hebdo," which still has no judicial resolution.

Following the publication of the caricature, tabloids close to the authorities launched an orchestrated campaign against Koraksić, publishing nearly identical articles accusing him of inciting the death of the president and calling for terrorism, along with a "recommendation" for the prosecutor's office to take action. The author clearly stated that the message of the caricature was that "Vučić has cracked – mentally, not physically."

Today (August 12, 2025), journalist Marko Dragoslavić was attacked by an unknown individual for photographing a construction site that had previously been issued a work ban by the building inspection. Initially, the unknown person threatened him, then assaulted him, while another individual attempted to run Dragoslavić over with a vehicle and continued to follow him as he ran away to escape the attacker. Marko tried to escape, but was caught by an unknown male in a nearby flower shop, thrown to the ground, and repeatedly punched. The police arrived at the scene after a call, stopped the attack, and offered Marko medical assistance. The case was immediately reported, and the police prepared an official note, after which, a few hours later, the suspect in the attack was apprehended.

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) warn that such incidents pose serious threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists, and demand that the relevant authorities:

• urgently identify and prosecute the individual who threatened the editorial office of "Danas";
• investigate and prosecute the attacker of Marko Dragoslavić;
• ensure effective protection for all journalists who are targets of threats, physical attacks, and media witch hunts.

We remind that any impunity for attacks and threats against journalists encourages new incidents and creates an atmosphere of fear, directly jeopardizing the public's right to be informed.