The following media round-up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 15 November 2024 to 21 November 2024. Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
Serbia – 21 November
Serbian Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesic, his assistant and nine others have been detained by police for questioning following the fatal Novi Sad railway station disaster in which 15 people lost their lives. Vesic, who denies responsibility for the disaster, resigned on 4th November after the disaster sparked protests, has stated on his Instagram that he was not arrested, but rather voluntarily responded to a police summons to aid their investigations. See here.
Kosovo – 19 November
Kosovo’s Special Prosecution has issued an indictment against an ex-Yugoslav army reservist for war crimes allegedly committed in the village of Panorc in Malisevo during the 1998-1999 Kosovo war. The suspect is accused of collaborating with Serbian military and police units to violate international law by illegally detaining and physically and mentally torturing 500 civilians, as well as the mass deportation of Albanians, destruction of property and looting. See here
Kosovo and North Macedonia – 18 November
In a meeting held in Pristina, the governments of Kosovo and North Macedonia have signed a protocol mutually agreeing to facilitate easier movement of citizens across border crossing in 2025 by implementing a “one stop shop” arrangement. In describing the new arrangements, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Alban Kurti noted that this year has seen a record number of border crossings, as well as a record volume of economic cross border trade, stating that “Starting from January 1, 2025, at two crossing points, Hani i Elezit-Bllace and Jazhince-Globocica, we will implement a model where our police officers work together in the same facility. This cooperation will reduce the waiting time at the border and ease the freedom of movement of our citizens”. See here.
Croatia – 15 November
The Croatian Health Minister Vili Beros has been dismissed from his duties by the Prime Minister after he, along with several high ranking doctors from Croatia’s public health system, were detained by the Office for Suppression of Corruption and Organized Crime, PNUSKOK on suspicion of accepting bribes. The investigation was initiated by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office which is the EU body responsible for investigating and prosecuting criminal acts that damage the EU’s financial interests. According to the EPPO, Beros, along with the doctors, manipulated public procurement process for the purchase of medical equipment for the public health system, including purchasing the equipment at inflated prices in exchange for bribes or the promise of bribes, with one case involving the use of EU funds to purchase the medical equipment. See here.
Croatia - 15 November
A huge memorial procession has taken place in Vukovar commemorating the fall of the city to the Yugoslav Army on November 18th 1991 following a 3 month siege. The march was led by the defenders of the city as well as 2717 young people wearing t-shirts with the names of civilians and fighters who were killed during the siege. Following the fall of the city, the entire non-Serbian population was expelled with 7000 military and civilian prisoners taken to camps in Serbia. Croatia is still searching for the fate of 1788 citizens who went missing during its war of independence. See here.