# Bosnia judicial reforms, media network and EU scrutiny

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bosnia-judicial-reforms-and-media-network
> Updated: 2026-08-18T10:15:12.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 4.

In mid-July 2026, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (VSTV) confirmed a large batch of judicial appointments across the Federation, Republika Srpska, and Brčko District, prioritizing legal expertise, integrity, and gender-ethnic balance. Simultaneously, the VSTV continued negotiations with the European Union regarding amendments to its Rules of Procedure for external experts overseeing asset disclosures. While the EU accepted four of five disputed points, a disagreement persists over whether experts should be proposed by Expertise France or the VSTV itself. Recent reports from the Asset Verification Department highlighted staffing shortages, delayed filings, and limited cooperation from several Western Balkan states.

During this period, the VSTV also operationalized the “Pravosudna mreža,” a judicial network designed to coordinate communication between courts, prosecutors, and the media. While journalists welcomed the initiative to improve transparency, they expressed concerns regarding the consistency of judicial engagement.

By August 2026, the VSTV faced intensified scrutiny. Following reports from the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN) alleging that former judge Jovanka Jovanović and her husband, Janko, acquired 13 properties totaling approximately 720,000 KM and held a Swiss bank account once valued at nearly 3 million KM, the EU warned that VSTV’s modifications to asset verification regulations could lead to a cessation of funding and threaten European integration.

Amidst these challenges, the VSTV issued a call for political and media actors to cease attempts to influence judicial proceedings. This followed reports regarding Judge Gordana Marić of the District Commercial Court in Banja Luka in a case involving RTRS and BHRT. The Council emphasized that judicial independence is a constitutional requirement and warned that attempts to discredit judges undermine public trust.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: High Judicial Council of BiH calls for end to political pressure on courts

The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina has called for an end to political and media pressure on judges following a dispute involving a commercial court in Banja Luka.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/high-judicial-council-of-bih-calls-for-end-to-political-pressure-on-courts

### 2026-08-06: High Judicial Council faces EU pressure over asset scrutiny in Bosnia

The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina faces EU pressure over asset transparency and corruption prevention measures following reports of unexplained wealth held by a former judge.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ana-radulovi-and-mire-radulovi-announce-divorce-after-two-years

### 2026-07-27: Bosnia and Herzegovina launches judicial network for media communication

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council created a judicial media network, appointing 15 judges and prosecutors as liaisons to improve transparency, amid cautious journalistic reception.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bosnia-and-herzegovina-launches-judicial-network-for-media-communication

### 2026-07-15: Bosnia’s High Judicial Council appoints judges and negotiates EU rule changes

Bosnia’s VSTV appointed dozens of judges across the country while finalising EU‑backed rule changes on external expert recruitment and addressing capacity gaps in its asset‑verification unit.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-parliament-to-vote-on-constitutional-court-judges-amid-eu-talks

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Cite as: Bosnia judicial reforms, media network and EU scrutiny. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bosnia-judicial-reforms-and-media-network