Balkan Unscripted (#2)- Dodik’s trial, spies, Batman & a sparkly Pink TV-presenter
Your bi-weekly deep dive into the Balkans — stories, discoveries, and the conversations that matter. Curated with care by Ingrid and Marjolein, your go-to Balkan nerds.
Dispatch - students & a “sadomasochistic French spy”
Hello everyone!
Greetings from the lovely but misty Livno (Bosnia) where I (Ingrid) am for a few days for a screening of our short film on illicit quail hunting on the Balkan. But, more about that later! For now, a report from my hometown Amsterdam!
Last week, the De Balie in Amsterdam hosted investigative journalist Stevan Dojčinović from KRIK in Belgrade to talk about the Serbian student protests, in light of KRIK’s investigative work on corruption, the rule of law, and organised crime.
The million dollar question – will president Aleksandar Vučić be able to fulfil the student’s request of prosecuting all responsible for the deadly Novi Sad train station disaster? Or not? And where will that leave the protest movement?
“He can not prosecute to the end”, says Dojčinović. Vučić, a “micromanager”, is “involved in all decisions” when it comes to such infrastructure projects. He would have been informed and consulted on the construction project in Novi Sad’, says Dojčinović. Under the SNS, he says: “corruption can be found in every part of society”.
KRIK is currently facing more SLAPP lawsuits than that they have journalists working on stories, says Dojčinović. The newsroom is also targeted by misinformation and slander from pro-regime media in Serbia. In one of the more tragic attempts, a few years back, Dojčinović was named a “sadomasochistic French spy” by Informer.
In Amsterdam, Dojčinović also discussed why there are no EU-flags to be seen at the student protests with EU-parliamentarian Thijs Reuten (PVDA/Groen Links) and how to effectively fight autocracy with prof. Antoaneta Dimitrova (Leiden University). (And much more). You can watch the full recording of the Freedom Lecture here.
Vidimo se!
Ingrid
Ps. For more on the student protests, listen to David Jan Godfroid, Marcel van der Steen and myself talk about it in the first episode of the new season of De Balkanman. Also, see the beautiful photos of Kamarades, who are capturing the student movement.
Things you need to know
Dodik’s sentence. Last Wednesday the closing arguments in the court case against Milorad Dodik, the current president of Republika Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina, were issued. Many people probably already forgot why he is in court. Was it because of corruption, genocide denial or just because he doesn’t abide by the constitution?
I (Marjolein) will break it down for you!
First of all, although he is accused of all the above, the case against Dodik primarily revolves around two events. In July last year, Dodik signed a law stating that decisions of the state-level constitutional court would be ignored, along with another amending legislation on publishing official acts. Schmidt, the High Representative overseeing the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia, blocked the implementation of these laws, but Dodik proceeded regardless.
Prosecutor Nedim Ćosić has called for a prison sentence for Dodik, which could be up to five years, along with a ten-year ban on holding public office. I don’t think anyone can imagine that will really happen. Will Dodik end up behind bars? There is much to discuss about this trial, the threat it poses to Bosnia’s stability, and what comes next. We will certainly follow up when an actual prison sentence is announced.
For the Dutch readers (which at this point might be almost all of you), I would like to recommend you two articles that I (Marjolein) wrote:
Trump is considering nominating ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who served eight years in prison for corruption, to be the new U.S. ambassador to Serbia. Blagojevich, a former congressman and governor, had his sentence commuted by Trump in 2020, and he has since become a vocal Trump supporter. Blagojevich, whose father is from Serbia, appeared on Trump's reality TV show "Celebrity Apprentice".
A cargo ship with toxic waste is causing waves in the Albanian parliament. A ship with hazardous waste from Albania is anchored off Durrës after being rejected by Thailand. Albanian authorities are investigating potential smuggling and environmental contamination. The opposition accuses the government of a cover-up.
Sarajevans lay flowers for the latest victims of a brutal femicide case. In response to the tragic murders of Inela and her 13-year-old son in the Bosnian town of Kalesija, citizens of Sarajevo gathered last weekend in front of the State Parliament building to pay their respects. Both Kalesija and the neighbouring town of Lukavac, Inela's hometown, declared the day a mourning period as the victims were laid to rest.
Quirky corner
Batman spotted in Banja Luka. A mysterious figure dressed as Batman was spotted atop the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Banja Luka, Bosnia, causing a stir among locals. The stunt's motive remains unconfirmed (it may just have been a city worker in a raincoat), but it has sparked a wave of speculation and online jokes.
Is the Yugo making a comeback? The Yugo, a budget-friendly car from Yugoslavia, is being revived by Serbian professor Dr. Aleksandar Bjelić. The new Yugo will keep the retro look of the original but offer modern petrol and electric options.
Serbia’s Pink TV’s presenter Jovana Jeremić is reminding us that we should be unashamedly ourselves. There certainly is no one like her. For who do not know this sparkling show lady, read our NRC-colleague Nina Stefanovski’s article on her bizarre clothing choices and learn why Serbia’s students are not a big fan of this lady.
Meme of the week
Meme contribution by Marjolein: “My all-time favoriete —not just because it features cats, but because it perfectly represents how Bosnia is wedged between its neighbours, Croatia and Serbia. It’s something between a hug and a stranglehold—you decide for yourself how to interpret the expression on the middle cat’s face."
By the way, what are your favourite Balkan meme’s? Send us!
Quiz question
For last week's quizzzz question - the picture we shared was of Dona, one of Novi Sad’s “riot dogs”. Stray dogs like Dona are supporting Novi Sad’s students during their demonstrations. Dona, however, was sadly killed during a demonstration (see below). In her memory, citizens arranged a wake. Read more about it on BBC Na Srpskom.
Next questionnn: where was this image taken?
Tip!
Our favorite Mikstape! The Balkanman Mikstape, where Sarajevo based journalist Marcel van der Steen curates the best music from the Balkans with his guests.
Hi, from us
We’re Ingrid & Marjolein, two freelance journalists covering the Balkans. One Saturday night — after a few glasses of rakija — this newsletter was born. In each edition, we share stories that catch our eye, the ones worth reading, along with our observations from reporting in the region. So grab a coffee (or a rakija) and join us.
