Veran Matić, one of Serbia’s most prominent journalists and president of the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM), was attacked on Wednesday evening outside the Serbian parliament building in Belgrade, the organization said.
According to ANEM, the incident occurred at around 8 p.m. while Matić was filming a public gathering of several dozen people wearing hats with white bands.
As he approached the main entrance of the National Assembly, an unidentified young man allegedly confronted him, forcibly took his mobile phone and attempted to prevent him from recording the event.
“The individual ignored Matić’s explanation that he was a journalist and refused to return the phone,” ANEM said in a statement.
The organization said the device was returned only after intervention by Đorđe Prelić, a former leader of the Alcatraz football supporters’ group who was previously convicted in connection with the 2009 killing of French football fan Brice Taton.
According to ANEM, Prelić told Matić that he had “ruined his life” through reporting on broadcaster B92, apparently referring to investigative reports aired by the television station.
After recovering his phone, Matić reported the incident to security personnel stationed at the parliament building. He was allegedly told that the incident had not been observed and was instructed to contact the police. The case was subsequently reported to the Stari Grad police station.
ANEM expressed serious concern over Matić’s safety, arguing that the attack cannot be separated from what it described as a months-long campaign of public discreditation and intimidation directed against the journalist.
The organization said criminal complaints had previously been submitted to prosecutors regarding threats and smear campaigns targeting Matić but had received no response.
“Serbia has long become a country where journalists are tried and judged in the dark,” ANEM said, calling on authorities to conduct an immediate investigation and ensure Matić’s protection.
The incident comes amid ongoing concerns raised by international media watchdogs about press freedom, journalist safety and political pressure on independent media in Serbia.