Serbia: Stop the harassment of writer and academic Jovo Bakić

Photo: Stefan Stojanović

22 June – The harassment of Serbian writer and academic Jovo Bakić by government officials and pro-government supporters must end at once, PEN International and Serbian PEN said today. With independent voices in Serbia coming under sustained pressure, PEN International and Serbian PEN once again urge the authorities to put a stop to all political attacks against writers and journalists.

PEN International and Serbian PEN express grave concern about the continued harassment of writer and academic Jovo Bakić, who has been the target of the Serbian authorities and pro-government trolls for over four years. On 13 June 2019, the independent weekly NIN published an interview with Bakić, in which he denounced the nationalistic stance of the Serbian authorities, and connections between criminal organisations and government representatives. That same day, President Aleksandar Vučić smeared Bakić at a press conference, calling for a criminal investigation against him to be launched. The Serbian broadcaster RTS subsequently published an edited version of the interview, in which Bakić was falsely made to appear to be calling for violence. A pre-investigation procedure was launched on 14 June 2019 and promptly shelved after Bakić provided a copy of his interview to the police. Yet, verbal attacks against Bakić by members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and pro-government tabloids continued. Bakić also told PEN International he received several anonymous threats online.

On 7 May 2023, following two mass shootings in the country within days, pro-government Pink TV broadcast a short film quoting Jovo Bakić out of context, accusing him of stoking violence. A smear campaign by government officials and pro-government outlets and trolls ensued, with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić notably urging the University of Belgrade to take a stand against Bakić and an SNS MP starting a petition calling for his dismissal. Pro-government tabloids quoted Bakić as calling for ‘blood’ to be spilled in the streets of Belgrade – words he never used. PEN International has seen several anonymous messages sent to Bakić, threatening him and his family with rape. Alarmingly, his home address was disclosed on Pink TV. Bakić also reported being approached twice by an unknown individual who threatened and insulted him.

‘PEN International condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued threats and harassment of writer and academic Jovo Bakić. The sheer violence faced by independent voices in Serbia is utterly shocking and smear campaigns by government officials and pro-government supporters are clearly intended to silence all dissent. We stand with Bakić and ask for his safety to be prioritized. All political attacks against writers and journalists must end at once,’ said Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee.

Additional information

Jovo Bakić, 53, is a writer, sociologist and academic, who specializes in national conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. His writings focus on theories of ethnicity, nation and nationalism, national minorities, refugees, conflict, and war studies, and he frequently contributes to daily independent newspapers. He currently works as Associate Professor at the University of Belgrade, Serbia.

In Serbia, opposition and independent journalists, writers, and activists frequently face direct attacks and threats by private individuals and public officials merely for speaking out. Scores of writers and journalists have reported being targeted by serious threats in recent months, increasing fears for their safety. One of the most prominent cases is that of writer and journalist Marko Vidojković, who was forced to leave Serbia and relocate in February 2023 after receiving persisting death threats.

In April 2023, following an in-country mission, international press freedom and journalists’ organisations deemed Serbia to be one of the most dangerous places in Europe, outside of Ukraine, to work as a journalist.

For further details contact Aurélia Dondo, Head of Europe and Central Asia Region at PEN International: Aurelia.dondo@pen-international.org