Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Pandemic Forces Balkan Politicians to Get Serious, At Last

"Solidarity happens much more among equals," Sarajevo-based psychologist Jasna Bajraktarevic said on a regional talk show on N1 TVon March 18. She stressed that the countries in the region should rely much more on each other than on major global actors.

No Convictions for Radovan Karadzic’s ‘Helpers in Hiding’

The Bosnian state prosecution investigated 58 people for offering financial support to Karadzic, but its probe was discontinued several years ago because there was no proof that any crimes were committed, and the people under investigation cooperated with the Hague Tribunal.

H&M to close stores, including some in Greece, due to virus

H&M, the world's second-biggest fashion retailer, said on Monday it was evaluating all its activities and temporarily closing stores in 12 more markets due to the coronavirus as it reported a 24 percent quarterly sales slump in China.

Bosnian Company Accused of Iran Sanctions-Busting Talks

Security Minister Fahrudin Radoncic wrote on Instagram on Monday that a Bosnian company had discussed with officials at the Iranian embassy in Sarajevo the possibility of selling aluminium oxide powder to Tehran in breach of US and EU sanctions.

Acquitted Bosnian War Defendant Sues for Compensation

Selman Busnov's lawyer told the state court on Monday that his client is suing Bosnia and Herzegovina because of the psychological trauma he endured due to being kept under house arrest during his trial.

Lawyer Kenan Hadzimuhovic said that "any amount awarded by the court cannot sufficiently compensate for mental anguish, worry and fear that the plaintiff suffered".

Bulgaria with 43 Registered Cases of COVID-19, Balkans Taking Tougher Measures

Two more cases of coronavirus have been registered in Bulgaria.

One is from Pleven, the other from Sofia. The total number of patients is 43, two of them have died.

This was stated by Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, Chief of the National Operations Headquarters and of the MMA.

Exhibition Tells Bosnian Women’s Tales of War and Peacetime

The exhibition opening in Belgrade. Photo: Igor Coko.

'Peace with Women's Face', an exhibition about women's experiences of surviving the 1992-1995 Bosnian war and overcoming the consequences in the post-conflict era, runs until March 17 at the Youth Initiative for Human Rights NGO's exhibition space in Belgrade.

Balkan Countries Close Border Crossings to Stop Coronavirus

Serbia, Albania and Romania have closed many of their border crossings in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, leaving some parts of the Balkans practically cut off for civil traffic.

All countries of the region have either banned entry or introduced special restrictive measures for passengers arriving from countries with mid to high to risk of coronavirus.

Trump will get rid of Kurti?

If Washington's threats of denying economic aid and withdrawing US troops from Kosovo and Metohija do not discipline the prime minister of interim Pristina institutions, Albin Kurti, and in case he does not suspend tariffs, it is not excluded that the United States will pull another trump card - a change of government in Pristina.

Ratko Mladic’s Plea for New Trial Evidence Rejected

The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague said on Thursday that it has rejected a request to introduce new evidence about the Srebrenica massacres and the wartime siege of Sarajevo at appeal hearings in the trial of former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic.

Two Bosnian Courts Refuse to Ban Chetnik Nationalist Groups

The Basic Courts in Trebinje and Bijeljina told BIRN that they have turned down requests to ban associations whose names contain the words 'Chetnik Movement' or 'Ravna Gora Movement'.

The plea was "rejected as unfounded", said Jelica Ijacic, the secretary at Trebinje Basic Court.

Vucic: We're not closing schools yet

Foto: Tanjug/Dragan Kujundi

Serb Nationalist Chetnik Rally Postponed due to Coronavirus

The controversial Chetnik rally in Visegrad has been cancelled after the Interior Ministry in Bosnia's Serb-dominated Republika Srpska entity on Wednesday issued a ban on all public gatherings until March 30 in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Balkan Countries Tighten Security as Coronavirus Cases Surge

As the number of new coronavirus cases in the Balkan region continues to grow, many governments have introduced tough measures aimed at preventing their spread.

Romania, which confirmed 30 cases as of Wednesday, on Tuesday said travellers from Spain, France and Germany would now be isolated on arrival.