OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media deeply worried by disappearance of journalist in Bela Crkva, Serbia

VIENNA, 14 June 2018 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed his concern following last night’s disappearance of Stefan Cvetković, a journalist from Bela Crkva in Serbia.

According to the police, who already started an investigation, Cvetković’s car was found in Bela Crkva with the doors open and headlights switched on.

In addition, journalists who tried to contact him report that all his mobile phones were turned off.

“I’m deeply worried by Cvetković’s disappearance and urge the Serbian authorities to do their utmost to find him,” Désir said, welcoming the fact that the police have deployed substantial resources and that President Vučić is closely following the case.

Cvetković was reportedly working on a story lately related to the murder of Oliver Ivanović, a politician assasinated in Kosovo in January this year.

Moreover, he has been the subject of several threats in the past. In March last year the journalist was sentenced by the Basic Court in Vršac to two years and three months in prison and given a fine of 2,150,000 million dinars following a lawsuit filed by three local politicians. These verdicts were annulled by the High Court.

Désir also noted concerns regarding the disappearance of the journalist raised by many local journalists’ associations and foundations including, UNS, NUNS, NDNV, LP, AM, ANEM, AOM and Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation.