On 26 September 1996, Viktor Ivancic, editor-in-chief of the satirical weekly “Feral Tribune”, and reporter Marinko Culic were acquitted of defaming Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. Judge Marin Mrcela delivered his verdict at Zagreb Municipal Court, saying that the offending material in “Feral Tribune” was obviously absurd and merely intended to pass judgment on political activity. […]
On 26 September 1996, Viktor Ivancic, editor-in-chief of the
satirical weekly “Feral Tribune”, and reporter Marinko Culic were
acquitted of defaming Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. Judge
Marin Mrcela delivered his verdict at Zagreb Municipal Court,
saying that the offending material in “Feral Tribune” was
obviously absurd and merely intended to pass judgment on
political activity.
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 19 September, 14, 12 June
and 8 May 1996**
The defendants faced up to three years in jail had they been
convicted.
Background Information
The newspaper’s 29 April edition carried an article titled “Bones
in the Mixer” and a photo-montage titled “Jasenovac — The
Biggest Croatian Underground City”, which were critical of
Tudjman’s recommendation to move the remains of World War Two
fascist soldiers alongside concentration camp victims.
This was the first application of a law passed by the Croatian
Parliament on 29 March which criminalises any critical reporting
or satirical commentary on the President, the Prime Minister, the
Speaker of Parliament, or the chief magistrates of the Supreme
and Constitutional courts (see IFEX alerts dated 2 April and 14
March 1996).
At least two more cases are pending against two other newspapers,
“Novi List” and “Nacional”, for charges under the same criminal
code articles applied in the “Feral Tribune” case (see IFEX alert
dated 4 September 1996).
