Veran Matić faces renewed death threats in Serbia
The SafeJournalists network and the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) have issued urgent calls for the identification and prosecution of individuals issuing death threats against journalist Veran Matić. These threats, including messages of hanging, sacrifice, and public execution, have been reported across social media platforms like Facebook and X.
Journalist organizations warn that these are not isolated incidents but part of a sustained campaign of targeting and disinformation. Matić has previously been subjected to media smear campaigns, including a propaganda film that labeled him a foreign mercenary and accused him of betraying Kosovo. He has also experienced physical incidents, such as an attack in front of the Serbian National Assembly.
Matić has expressed concern regarding systemic impunity, noting that since the beginning of the year, approximately ten reported threats have remained unresolved with no indictments filed. He criticized the lack of police protection and suggested that political interests may be hindering investigations into these cases.
Entities: ANEM · Aleksandar Vučić · Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM) · Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia · SafeJournalists · Serbia · Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs · Special Prosecutor's Office for High-Tech Crime · Special Prosecutor's Office for High‑Tech Crime · Veran Matić
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Veran Matić said there is an 'agreed impunity' in Serbia where police protect attackers and prosecutors do not act. (Veran Matić stated there is an 'agreed impunity' in Serbia where police protect attackers and prosecutors do not act.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Matić claimed attacks on director and professor Stevan Filipović are part of a planned increase in violence by Vučić's parapolice units. (Matić claimed attacks on director and professor Stevan Filipović are part of a planned increase in violence by Vučić's's)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The film warned that Matić could 'go like Ćuruvija and Zoran Đinđić'. (The film warned that Matić could 'go like Ćuruvija and Zoran Đinđić'.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] ANEM demanded the Special Prosecutor's Office for high‑tech crime investigate the threats promptly. (ANEM demanded the Special Prosecutor's Office for high‑tech crime investigate the threats promptly.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A propaganda film aired on national television labeling Matić as a foreign mercenary and accusing him of selling Kosovo. (A propaganda film aired on national television labeling Matić as a foreign mercenary and accusing him of selling Kosovo.)
- [● 3 SOURCES] ANEM reported new threats to Matić, including death threats of hanging and sacrifice posted on social media. (ANEM reported new threats to Matić, including death threats of hanging and sacrifice posted on social media.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Matić requested a new security assessment from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs. (Matić requested a new security assessment from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs.)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Vučić previously targeted Matić on a TV show, saying records of those imprisoned for Matić should be erased and he should apologize. (Vučić previously targeted Matić on a TV show, saying records of those imprisoned for Matić should be erased and he应be to)