We want to remind you that during October Ivan Äakić, the son of Josip Äakić, Member of the Croatian Parliament, threatened journalist Ivan Žada on two occasions. The first threat was made verbally in public and in front of several witnesses, and the second one was public too, but made through Facebook. In that case Ivan Äakić published at his Facebook wall that Ivan Žada „has in last few years written nonsense, filthy and stupid things about my father“ and that he was ready for his father “to stay in prison for life if needed”. He also warned the journalist „to think it over“.
Ivan Žada reported those threats and County State Attorney started the investigation. But along the way, in November, the suspect intimidated a witness and she reported that to the police. Therefore CJA expects the police to guarantee safety to the victim as well as to all witnesses in this case and County State Attorney to be quick and thorough investigating the case.
CJA will inform its international partners about thit case as it always does in cases of attacks and threats against journalists.
CJA wants to draw attention to the fact that in Croatia number of attacks against journalists is rising and political leaders still keep silent. In last four years there were more then 50 cases of threats and physical attacks against journalists reported in Croatia.
Hrvoje Zovko, CJA president for the CJA Executive Board