# Threats against journalists in Croatia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/threats-against-journalists-in-croatia
> Updated: 2026-10-24T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 2.

Croatian authorities launched a criminal investigation following a campaign of intimidation against 11 journalists and one political analyst. The threats emerged after media coverage of Nazi and antisemitic chants by Torcida supporters during a football match in Split. The intimidation included social media posts labeling the individuals as ‘12 horsemen of the Croatian apocalypse’, unsubstantiated claims of ties to Serbian intelligence, and calls for the journalists’ liquidation.

By October 24, police arrested Ivan Rinčić, the 29-year-old general secretary of the Torcida supporter group, on suspicion of making direct threats. The investigation found that Rinčić posted a collage of the victims' photographs on social media with messages such as ‘Croatia has seen all sorts of wonders, but it hasn't found enough ropes for so many Judases.’ The targeted journalists represent various outlets, including Index, 24sata, Telegram, and Slobodna Dalmacija, alongside political analyst Žarko Puhovski. Rinčić has been handed over to a detention supervisor, and a criminal complaint has been filed with the Municipal State Prosecutor's Office in Split. Additionally, another individual was detained in Zagreb for suggesting the creation of a ‘death list’.

## Claims

- Ivan Rinčić, the general secretary of Torcida, was arrested. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The suspect is a 29-year-old Croatian citizen born in 1997. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The suspect allegedly posted a collage of photos and threatening text on social media on October 18, 2026. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The threats targeted 11 journalists and one political analyst. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- A criminal complaint was filed with the Municipal State Prosecutor's Office in Split. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Police in Zagreb arrested another person for a comment suggesting a death list. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The suspect faces a potential prison sentence of six months to five years. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Torcida General Secretary arrested for threatening journalists

Torcida general secretary Ivan Rinčić was arrested in Croatia for allegedly posting threatening content targeting 11 journalists and a political analyst on social media.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/torcida-general-secretary-arrested-for-threatening-journalists

### 2026-10-19: Croatia police investigate threats against journalists

Croatian police are investigating threats and calls for the liquidation of journalists following reports of Nazi and antisemitic chants by Torcida fans in Split.

17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatian-journalists-association-demands-protection-after-threats

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Cite as: Threats against journalists in Croatia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/threats-against-journalists-in-croatia