All News from Balkans
Montenegro Proposes Lifting Curbs on Ethnic Minorities’ Symbols
The proposed new Law on the Use of National Symbols was submitted to the Montenegrin parliament on Friday after controversy caused by fines imposed on people for flying the Albanian flag.
Serbian Ex-Soldier Goes On Trial for Kosovo Killings
Former serviceman Predrag Vukovic, alias Madzo, who was arrested in Montenegro last year, appeared for the first time at Belgrade Higher Court on Friday at the trial of Yugoslav Army ex-soldiers for war crimes in Kosovo in May 1999.
Bosnian Children’s Home Managers Sacked Over Abuse Claims
Hundreds of people took to the streets of Sarajevo on Friday, demanding that that children be better protected at the care home for children with special needs in the village of Pazaric near the Bosnian capital, and calling for the alleged abusers to be prosecuted.
"I am not surprised by the decision on Mali's PhD" VIDEO
North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski is on a two-day official visit to our country. In front of the Palace of Serbia, he was greeted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, with national honors, a guard and the intonation of the anthems of Serbia and North Macedonia.
Spy Scandal Tests Russian-Serbian ‘Special Relationship’
The exposure of an apparent Russian spy operation in Serbia has raised fresh questions about the sustainability of the Russian-Serbian 'special relationship' as Belgrade pursues further integration with the West.
Albanian Parliament Urged to Reject Online Media Regulation
Ulsi Manja (left) and Klotilda Bushka (right) at the parliamentary law committee hearing on Friday. Photo: Gjergj Erebara/BIRN
"Civil society organisations call upon the government to withdraw the proposed laws. If the government refuses to do so, we also call upon the parliament of Albania to reject these laws at once," the statement said.
Bosnia Reduces Ex-Policeman’s Sentence for Torturing Prisoners
The Bosnian state court on Thursday partially upheld an appeal from former policeman Kahro Vejzovic and cut his sentence from six years in prison to four years.
Vejzovic was convicted of torturing captured Serb civilians in the village of Stupari during wartime between June and September 1992.
Democracy Digest: 30 Years Later, a Work in Progress
The commemorations bring mixed emotions. For some, they are a celebration of freedom and democracy. Others feel nostalgia for more certain times. And as the nation looks back, parties are looking forward to a general election early next year.
Celebrating freedom
To the Beat of the Drum: Croatian Protests Get Noisy
Five years ago, four female activists in Croatia decided something was missing from the protests they took part in defence of fundamental human rights: noise.
Precedent-setting Moldovan Whistleblower still Seeking Justice
"He is the first, because the notion of whistleblower did not exist in the Strasbourg Court's vocabulary until then," Vitalie Zama, one of the lawyers in Guja's case, told BIRN.
"And the first question that was asked was whether or not to protect the whistleblowers; whether freedom of expression exists for them or not."
'I suffered the consequences'
Romanian President Confident of Clinching Second Term
Centre-right Romania President Klaus Iohannis, who frequently locked horns with the country's previous Social Democrat government, faces former Prime Minister Viorica Dancila in a presidential run-off on Sunday seen as likely to return the incumbent for a second and final term.
Vucic: I ask Russian friends - Why?
He said he was certain that President Vladimir Putin had not been informed of this action, and that Serbia has friendly relations with the Russian Federation.
He reiterated that Serbia does not forget what Putin did for Serbia in international organizations, nor his support in equipping Serbian military.
Serbia Documented Russian Espionage Effort, President says
A Russian diplomat filmed apparently giving money to a Serbian official had a number of "conspiratorial meetings" with Serbian army officials at which cash changed hands, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday, adding that he had asked Russia's envoy to Belgrade one question: "Why?"
Bosnians Protest Alleged Child Abuse at Special Needs Home
The protesters were incensed by images revealed at a news conference a day earlier by Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina lawmaker Sabina Cudic, which appeared to show children at a care facility in the village of Pazaric tied to beds and other furniture.
Kosovo Police Hunt Two New Suspects in Ivanovic Murder
Police investigating the 2018 murder of Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic called on Thursday for information on the identity of two new suspects, releasing images of them in front of the party office where Ivanovic was shot dead.