Statement by Dnevni avaz: Brutal demonstration of force against journalists

The editorial board of Dnevni avaz issued a statement to the public regarding the SIPA search of the Dnevni avaz newsroom, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) today, shortly before 3:00 PM, broke into the premises of the „Dnevni avaz“ newsroom in Tešanjska Street in Sarajevo, where they are currently conducting a search.

This is a brutal pressure on media freedom and an attempt at intimidation, given that in addition to inspectors, SIPA special forces armed with long-barreled weapons also broke into the „Dnevni avaz“ newsroom.

There was no need for such a demonstration of force against our journalists and editors, because „Dnevni avaz“ and its publisher „Avaz-roto press“ are known for their highly professional and transparent work, without a single blemish in their 20-year history.

In this regard, SIPA investigators, as in some earlier cases, had ample opportunity to obtain all necessary information from us in a timely manner, and there was no need for any raids.   However, in this case, as in last year's raid on the Klix newsroom, it is an attempt at notorious police intimidation of our editors and journalists, which has also been attempted on several occasions before.

„Dnevni avaz“ is the highest-circulation newspaper in Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for its uncompromising anti-corruption journalism, which over two decades of publication has managed to expose numerous scandals and thus help democratize society.

Such a commitment of this newspaper, which could not be bribed or intimidated, is evidently a problem for some in this society who want a few families to rule and not be accountable to anyone at all.

We were not frightened during numerous other similar raids, threats, and attempts at intimidation, nor will we be this time.

We call on our readers, the public, and independent journalist associations and organizations to support us, as they have for the past 20 years, on the persistent path of fighting for a free, democratic, secular Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The idea of a free and democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina, like any other idea, will not and cannot be suppressed by long barrels!

Editorial Board of „Dnevni avaz“
Editor-in-Chief
Faruk Vele

For the publisher: Management of „Avaz-roto press“
General Director
Sead Numanović