Dunja Mijatović expresses condolences over death of journalist Željko Kopanja

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed deep sorrow after the death of Željko Kopanja, journalist and owner of Nezavisne novine, who passed away on 8 August, the OSCE announced, as reported by the Patria news agency. 

-We have lost a fearless and dedicated journalist and, above all, an inspiring role model for young journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mijatović said.

-My sincere condolences go out to his family, colleagues and friends, she said. 

During his career, Kopanja received many prestigious awards, including the international press freedom award from the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Hellman/Hammett award granted by Human Rights Watch.

In 1999, Kopanja nearly lost his life in a car bomb attack after reporting on war crimes in the Balkans during the 1990s. The perpetrators of the attack are still at large.

-Kopanja paid a very high price for his reporting as an investigative journalist in search of the truth, Mijatović said, adding: The 1999 attack should be a reminder why impunity for crimes against journalists should never prevail.