Editors and journalist of 'Euroblic' and 'Srpskainfo' summoned for questioning over publishing information about rape

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Journalist of "Euroblic" and the portal "Srpskainfo" Nikola Morača, editor-in-chief Siniša Trkulja, and development director and online executive editor Boris Lakić were summoned today for an informational interview at the Banja Luka Police Administration.

The police suspect Morača of the alleged criminal offense of "violation of the secrecy of an investigation." The inspectors asked this journalist, in the presence of his lawyer, to reveal his sources who helped him obtain information for the article about the rape of an 18-year-old woman, which was recently reported in Banja Luka.

After he refused to do so, stating his professional obligation to protect his sources, Morača was informed that he had the status of a suspect, and with the prosecutor's consent, his mobile phone was confiscated.

Nikola Morača is a long-time journalist for the "Euroblic" and "Srpskainfo" newsrooms, a journalist who has written numerous investigative articles on sensitive topics throughout his career, many of which did not sit well with the investigative authorities.

"It is reasonably suspected that today's police action is actually an abuse of this specific case, that it is personally directed at the journalist, and that it represents open pressure on him, the newsroom, and the journalistic profession in Republika Srpska," the newsroom stated.

The portal "Srpskainfo" most strongly condemned the action of the Banja Luka Police Administration. The newsroom strongly stands behind journalist Nikola Morača, as well as all its journalists, editors, and other employees, and called on the police to halt the investigation against Morača, Trkulja, and Lakić and to allow them to carry out their professional journalistic work.