Threatened journalist afraid to leave home

Posters saying Wanted and naming Isidora Kovacevic, the editor in chief of Podrinske daily, along with a local lawyer and a minor, were pasted all over the city of Sabac. Kovacevic came under fire from supporters of the authorities over the daily’s reporting on the recent road-block protests when hooligans, alleged to be supporters of the authorities, assaulted protesters.

“I’m nor sure that the wanted posters are still up because I haven’t left the house… I was told last night that there are some in parks on trees and I heard that people are angry and are tearing them down,” Kovacevic said. She added that she fears for her safety. “You see a poster with your name on it and the words Wanted and Reward… I am not prepared to face the fact that there is a wanted poster with my name on it in this town,” she said.

Kovacevic said she reported the posters to the police and is supposed to give a statement. She said she expects prosecutors to file charges and find who made the posters and who printed them on quality paper.

She said that the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) accused the opposition for the posters and that the local mayor released an open letter rejecting accusations that the city authorities were responsible.