(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is gravely concerned about the recent convictions of Senad Avdic, editor-in-chief of the Sarajevo-based independent weekly magazine “Slobodna Bosna” on charges of criminal libel. On 23 June 1999, Judge Mirsad Shehovic of the Sarajevo Municipal Court sentenced Avdic to a two-month suspended jail term on charges of criminal libel. If he is […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – CPJ is gravely concerned about the recent convictions of Senad
Avdic, editor-in-chief of the Sarajevo-based independent weekly magazine
“Slobodna Bosna” on charges of criminal libel.
On 23 June 1999, Judge Mirsad Shehovic of the Sarajevo Municipal Court
sentenced Avdic to a two-month suspended jail term on charges of criminal
libel. If he is convicted on new charges within a year, he will have to
serve the jail term. The criminal prosecution was initiated on behalf of
Bakir Alispahic, the former Minister of Internal Affairs of
Bosnia-Herzegovina, in response to a 1997 article written by Avdic. Because
it was written prior to 27 May, Avdic will not have to serve the jail term
from his earlier conviction. In the article, Avdic claimed that Alispahic
was responsible for bringing in Iranian specialists to train the Bosnian
special services. He also raised the possibility that Alispahic
misappropriated funds while serving as Minister of Internal Affairs.
In a separate case, on 27 May, the same court sentenced Avdic to a
three-month suspended jail term for allegedly defaming Semsudin Mehmedovic,
the former Minister of Internal Affairs of Zenica-Doboj canton (located in
central Bosnia). This sentence is also conditional for one year. Avdic’s
article alleged that Mehmedovic used force to dislodge protesters who were
blocking a road to demand payment of salaries. Avdic also claimed that
Mehmedovic was harboring terrorists, and had enabled some of them to leave
the country.
Avdic still faces eleven other outstanding charges of criminal libel. With
his 23 June conviction, he now faces up to five-months imprisonment if
convicted on new criminal charges.
Recommended Action
Send appeals the chairman:
libel
charges as a violation of all international norms of press freedom
intimidating and silencing them
Avdic
are immediately dropped, and that he is allowed to practice his profession
without fear of reprisal
criminalize the criticism and satire of public officials, as they contravene
all of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s international commitments
Appeals To
His Excellency Ante Jelovic
Chairman of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina
Via: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina to the United
Nations, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 580, New York, NY 10017
Fax: +212 751 9019
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
