The Association of BH Journalists and the Helpline for Journalists express deep concern regarding the information that the car bomb, seized in January in the area of Milići, according to the operational knowledge of the police agencies, was intended for the murder of the journalist and editor of the Istraga.ba portal, Avdo Avdić.
BH Journalists welcome the professional and responsible reaction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republika Srpska, which shared this information in a timely manner with other police agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the further action of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), the Federal Police Administration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton.
The association considers it extremely important that the competent institutions exchanged operational data and informed the journalist Avdić himself about everything, which is an example of responsible behavior in protecting the safety of journalists.
“However, at the same time, we cannot help criticizing the decisions of the District Public Prosecutor’s Office in East Sarajevo and the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor’s Office to release the suspects, who participated in the transport of an explosive device potentially intended to kill journalists, with the prohibition measures set by the KS Prosecutor’s Office. We consider such decisions extremely inadequate and dangerous, because they minimize the gravity of the criminal offense and send a worrying message of impunity when it comes to threats to journalists’ lives. It is alarming that in a case that includes the possible planning of an assassination of a journalist, the judicial institutions did not recognize the need for stricter measures, i.e. ordering custody of the suspects, which further jeopardizes the safety of not only Avda Avdić, but also indirectly of all journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” reads the statement of BH Journalists.
BH Journalists demand that the competent judicial institutions urgently review the decisions made and ensure that this case is treated with the full seriousness it requires. They expect an efficient, thorough and impartial investigation that will result in the prosecution of all those responsible.
Also, the Association demands from all competent police agencies to immediately ensure full and continuous protection of the safety of journalist Avda Avdić and his family members. As it was pointed out, any omission in this regard would be inadmissible and would represent the direct responsibility of the institutions of the system.
“Attacks and threats to journalists cannot and will not be tolerated. Attempts to intimidate the media and endanger the safety of journalists must be met with a decisive and clear response from the state institutions. BH Journalists and the Helpline for Journalists will continue to insist on the responsibility of institutions and adequate protection of the rights of journalists, and will closely monitor the development of this case, about which we will inform international organizations and diplomatic missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” it is stated.
