European Democrats Condemn Attacks on Independent Journalists: Deepening Authoritarianism Undermining Serbia's EU Path

Vojkan Kostic (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV)

The European Democratic Party on June 26 condemned the attacks on, threats to and police treatment of BETA Editor-in-Chief Vojkan Kostic and David Gruhonjic, son of journalist and university professor Dinko Gruhonjic, saying that Serbia is entering increasingly deep authoritarianism and undermining the European integration process.

"The latest attacks on independent journalists in Serbia confirm what Europe can no longer afford to ignore: under (President) Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia is sliding ever deeper into authoritarianism, in clear violation of the values and commitments that underpin its EU accession process," reads the statement.

The Democrats say that the police summons issued to Vojkan Kostic is "a blatant act of political intimidation," while the vandalism of the car owned by David Gruhonjic, the son of journalist and Novi Sad School of Philosophy professor Dinko Gruhonjic, "marks a deeply worrying escalation." 

The Democrats stress that the political responsibility for the current climate in Serbia lies solely with Vucic's regime. "Years of anti-media rhetoric, attacks on independent journalism, accusations of treason against critical voices, and impunity for those who threaten reporters have created an environment in which violence and intimidation become inevitable," reads the statement.

The European Democratic Party added that the authorities in Serbia may organize pro-European events in Brussels, but that they will not deceive Brussels by diplomatic theater.

"A country that intimidates journalists, threatens their families and suppresses dissent is not moving closer to the European Union - it is moving further away from it," says the European Democratic Party and adds that the European path is not "a public relations exercise," but rather a commitment to the rule of law, media freedom, political pluralism, and respect for fundamental rights.  

"President Vucic must make a choice: Europe or authoritarianism. He cannot claim both. And the European Union must finally respond accordingly," concludes the statement.