Nathalie Bertrams is a freelance journalist, photographer, and National Geographic Explorer known for her in-depth reporting on environmental conflicts, human rights and social justice issues, mainly across Africa. Her work has been featured in prominent media outlets, including The Guardian, ...

Criminal dies in Serbia

31 Jul 2024  |  De Groene Amsterdammer  |  Dutch  |  Social Media

Faton Hajrizi, a notorious Kosovar criminal known for his repeated prison escapes, was killed by Serbian police in Loznica after shooting a Serbian border police officer. His death has sparked controversy, with accusations against Serbia for harboring criminals and criticism of Kosovo's lenient prison policies. Hajrizi had gained fame for mocking authorities on social media during his escapes. The incident highlights ongoing tensions and differing approaches to criminal rehabilitation between Serbia and Kosovo.

Tags:

Ivica Dačić Faton Hajrizi Besnik Bislimi Xhelal Sveçla Blerim Sallahu Skender Musa

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Alessia Cerantola is a journalist working in Italy and in Japan.

American Drug Traffickers May Have Ties to Intelligence Agencies

01 Oct 2023  |  OCCRP  |  English  |  Intelligence Agencies

Mileta Miljanić, leader of the international drug trafficking network 'Group America,' remains elusive despite numerous charges and arrests linked to his organization. The group, deeply rooted in New York's Serbian-American community and Serbia's political history, has connections to Serbian law enforcement and possibly U.S. intelligence agencies. Italian authorities have struggled to prosecute Miljanić due to alleged interference from U.S. agencies. The article highlights the group's extensive criminal activities, including drug trafficking and contract killings, and suggests possible protection from intelligence agencies.

Tags:

Ivica Dačić Mileta Miljanić Zoran Jakšić Boško Radonjić Jimmy Coonan John Gotti Vojislav Raičević Slobodan Milošević Marko Milošević Miša Cvjetičanin Boško Buha Zoran Đinđić Mladen Miljanić Milenko Lasković Neil M. Barofsky Efrain Eduardo Rodriguez Jesus Vicente Zambada-Niebla Jovica Stanišić Sir Ivor Roberts

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Experienced journalist able to do lives and reporting for print, radio and tv. I have reported for media outlets from more than fifteen countries, including for ARTE/ZDF, BBC News, The Guardian, Süddeutsche Zeitung, The Sunday Times, NRC Handelsblad, Deutsche Welle en De Groene Amsterdammer.

Serbia’s Curious Polygraph Craze

11 Oct 2024  |  New Lines Magazine  |  English  |  Media Influence

In Serbia, polygraph tests have become a popular tool among politicians to deflect accusations of corruption and organized crime connections, despite their scientific unreliability. The practice is part of a broader media spectacle, with state-controlled outlets often declaring politicians innocent without showing test results. Private detective Nikola Novak has capitalized on this trend, offering polygraph services to both individuals and organizations. Critics argue that the use of polygraphs is a political strategy to distract from systemic corruption and judicial inefficiencies, with the ruling party leveraging media control to maintain power. Despite skepticism from scientists and legal limitations, the polygraph craze persists, reflecting deep-seated issues in Serbia's political and media landscape.

Tags:

Ivica Dacic Dijana Hrkalovic Veljko Belivuk Aleksandar Vulin Aleksandar Vucic Nikola Novak Marija Serifovic Sara Jovanovic Sasa Djordjevic Miroslav Milicevic Leposava Kron Tom Kelly

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

Journalist since 2001, I've worked for almost all kind of medias: radio, print media (press-agencies, websites and magazines) and a lot of TV. Born in Italy, where I've spent a big part of my life, but with a very international background, I've studied one year in Toronto and spent two years in ...

Vienna calls Belgrade and Skopje: a common front to stop migrants

13 Feb 2017  |  it.euronews.com  |  Italian  |  Balkan Route

Vienna is seeking to strengthen cooperation with Belgrade and Skopje to manage the migrant crisis. Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz visited Serbia and Macedonia to discuss civil and military cooperation among 16 Eastern and Southern European countries. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic emphasized Serbia's efforts to avoid becoming a 'parking lot' for illegal migrants, despite ongoing arrivals. Vienna proposed a contingency 'anti-crisis plan' in case the EU-Turkey agreement fails, including potential civil and military cooperation.

Tags:

Ivica Dacic Sebastian Kurz Aleksandar Vucic

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Una Hajdari is an independent reporter largely focused on Central and Eastern Europe with experience in covering news on economic and political developments, as well as the far-right, nationalism and identity politics.

Trump’s son-in-law Kushner secures controversial Belgrade real estate deal

17 May 2024  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Political Controversy

Jared Kushner's investment firm, Affinity Partners, has secured a 99-year permit to develop a luxury compound in Belgrade, sparking controversy due to the site's historical significance related to the U.S.-backed NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. The deal, involving Serbia's political elite, has faced public outrage and opposition protests, with critics suggesting it may serve as a political favor for potential future Trump administration ties. The Serbian government plans to include a memorial complex on the site, but skepticism remains about its potential to resonate with Serbian sentiments.

Tags:

Ivica Dačić Jared Kushner Donald Trump Goran Vesić Asher Abehsera Aleksandar Vučić Xi Jinping Vladimir Putin Aleksandar Jovanović Ćuta

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Right

Political View

Valerie Hopkins is currently the South-East Europe Correspondent for the Financial Times, where she covers the region out of Budapest. She has more than ten years of experience working in South-Eastern Europe. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian The Atlantic, The Washington ...

Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Balkans

01 Oct 2015  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  European Union

Nidal, a refugee from Damascus, finds himself caught in the renewed tensions between Croatia and Serbia as he seeks safety in Europe. The refugee crisis has exacerbated historical animosities, leading to border closures and a trade war between the two countries. Both governments are accused of exploiting the crisis for political gain, with upcoming elections in Croatia and Serbia. The European Union plays a crucial role in stabilizing the region, but mixed messages from Brussels complicate the situation. The article highlights the humanitarian plight of refugees and the political maneuvering that hinders their journey.

Tags:

Ivica Dacic Nidal Ivan Horvat Zoran Milanovic Dan Sunter Anita Mitic Florian Bieber Johannes Hahn

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Klaudjo Jonuzaj is a journalist based in Tirana, Albania. I have a important experience working with international media in English. I follow current affairs in Albania and Kosovo.

The warm reception of Gërvalla and the awkward meeting with Dačić, the 'diplomacy of signs' of the Albanian Foreign Minister

06 Oct 2023  |  Telegrafi  |  Albanian  |  International Relations

In Tirana, the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Berlin Process began with the reception of delegations. The situation in northern Kosovo and the anticipated encounter between Kosovo's Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla and Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić drew attention. Albanian Foreign Minister Igli Hasani's interactions with his counterparts were notably different, with a serious demeanor towards Dačić and a warm reception for Gërvalla. The tense situation between Kosovo and Serbia is expected to be discussed, with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock having announced a meeting with representatives of both countries. The main lines of the Ministerial will focus on regional strengthening, integration into the EU, the Common Regional Market, the Green and Digital Agendas, and accelerating European integration.

Tags:

Ivica Dačić Donika Gërvalla Igli Hasani Annalena Baerbock

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Andrew MacDowall is a experienced correspondent, analyst, and consultant covering Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He has also done substantial work in the MENA region and South-East Asia as a business journalist and analyst. He has written for publications including the Guardian, ...

Could land swap between Serbia and Kosovo lead to conflict?

22 Aug 2018  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Ethnic Tensions

The article explores the potential consequences of a proposed land swap between Serbia and Kosovo, which aims to resolve long-standing disputes and facilitate European integration. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovan President Hashim Thaçi are considering partitioning Kosovo along ethnic lines, a move that has sparked significant controversy and concern. Critics argue that such a partition could destabilize the Balkans, reignite ethnic tensions, and set a dangerous precedent. The international community is divided on the issue, with some countries open to the idea while others, like Germany, remain opposed. The article highlights the complex political dynamics and the potential risks associated with the proposed land swap.

Tags:

Ivica Dačić Aleksandar Vučić Hashim Thaçi Edi Rama Bekim Çollaku Angela Merkel Jared Kushner Father Sava Janjić Nikola Dimitrov Albin Kurti

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

I am a Romanian journalist based in Chisinau, Moldova, since 2015. My area of expertise is politics and investigations. However, I wrote features, analysis, interviews and news in English for several foreign media outlets from Europe and Caucasus. I covered also economics and social topics.

Moldova Bans Bosnian-born musician Goran Bregovic, Citing ‘Security’ Concerns

21 Aug 2023  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  International Relations

Moldovan authorities denied entry to Bosnian-born musician Goran Bregovic and his band due to alleged support for Russia's annexation of Crimea. The Border Police, acting on risk analysis and information exchanges, prevented Bregovic from performing at the Gustar festival. Bregovic expressed disappointment on social media, noting his successful tours across Europe. Moldova's former pro-Russian president, Igor Dodon, commented on the ban, while the Serbian Foreign Ministry sought an explanation, citing traditionally friendly relations. The article was updated to clarify Bregovic's Bosnian origin.

Tags:

Ivica Dacic Goran Bregovic Igor Dodon Maia Sandu

Factual

Factuality Scale

Ivana Nikolic is a journalist based in Belgrade, Serbia.
Work experience
•	June 2019 – present 
Fixer and mentor on the documentary project of the British documentary filmmaker Joseph Shawyer. Responsible for finding interviewees, translations, etc.
•	June 2018 – present
Eastern European ...

Twitter Activists Mock Milosevic Monument Proposal

16 Aug 2016  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Political Controversy

Twitter users criticized the proposal to erect a monument to Slobodan Milosevic, using the hashtag #SpomenikSlobi to highlight the destructiveness of his rule. They posted images of war-torn buildings, hyperinflation banknotes, and long visa queues as symbolic 'monuments' to his misrule. The proposal was made by Serbian Socialist Party member Milutin Mrkonjic, following comments by party leader Ivica Dacic. Milosevic, who rose to power in 1990 and was ousted in 2000, was later tried for genocide and war crimes but died before the trial concluded.

Tags:

Ivica Dacic Slobodan Milosevic Milutin Mrkonjic Radovan Karadzic

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Milivoje Pantovic is a investigative journalist based in Beograd, Serbia. He is specialized in the fields of domestic politics, foreign politics and culture. Milivoje was a journalist and editor in Serbian news agencies Tanjug and Beta, TV stations B92 and BK, newspaper "Politika", editor in ...

Novak Djokovic ‘lured to Australia … to be humiliated’

07 Jan 2022  |  The Irish Times  |  English  |  Politics

Serbian politicians and celebrities have condemned the treatment of Novak Djokovic, who is detained in Australia over visa issues related to his vaccination status. They claim he was lured to Australia to be humiliated, with Serbian officials and his family calling for protests and expressing indignation. The Serbian government has formally protested to Australia, while Djokovic's wife emphasized love and respect amid the controversy.

Tags:

Ivica Dacic Novak Djokovic Emir Kusturica Nemanja Starovic Daniel Emery Jelena Djokovic

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Sir Ivor Roberts is a former British diplomat who served as ambassador in former Yugoslavia, Ireland and Italy. He is the editor of Satow's guide to diplomacy and on the advisory board of The Counter-Extremism project. He is based in Oxford, United Kingdom.

The west must not just abandon the Balkans to Russia’s embrace

05 Apr 2018  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Politics

A proposal to erect a statue of Slobodan Milošević in Belgrade reflects Serbia's political climate and the Balkans' division between pro-EU/NATO aspirations and nationalist, pro-Russian sentiments. Russia's influence in preventing Balkan states from joining NATO is evident, with incidents in Montenegro and Macedonia. The west's lack of presence and support in the region contrasts with Russia's engagement. Progressive forces in Macedonia and Serbia strive for closer ties with the west despite challenges. The article argues that western countries are neglecting the Balkans, risking previous investments in democracy and potentially allowing the immortalization of a figure contrary to democratic values.

Tags:

Ivica Dačić Slobodan Milošević Milo Djukanović Zoran Zaev Milorad Dodik Saša Antić

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View