Prime Minister Andrej Plenković testified on Friday at the Zlatar Municipal Court against a 39-year-old metalworker accused of posting threats against him on Facebook, saying he had felt “seriously afraid” for his life.
The defendant is charged over four online comments, including one sent through Facebook Messenger that read: “You stinking piece of sh*. You should be skinned alive.”* Prosecutors said the message caused Plenković “serious fear and distress for his life and safety.”
Other posts included: “If only a Russian missile had hit that anemic head of yours. Stop violence against women, start violence against the convicted criminal organization HDZ. These traitors in Croatia should be systematically killed.”
Defendant apologised
The metalworker admitted to posting the comments and apologised in court. He said he earns minimum wage and reacted in anger after reading that Croatia would finance healthcare services in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Despite his apology, the court sentenced him to 30 days in jail, followed by another 30, and later issued a formal indictment.
His court-appointed attorney, Lidija Horvat, said the decision risked creating a “chilling effect” on free expression.
“The European Court would call this a ‘chilling effect.’ It’s dangerous for democracy because it takes us back to times when people were detained for their words,” Horvat said.
Plenković: “I never take such messages lightly”
After testifying, court staff reportedly lined up to take photos with the prime minister. Smiling, Plenković commented, “Well, that’s nice.”
“This is one of those cases where individuals commit the crime of making threats, and the authorities act ex officio,” Plenković told RTL television.
“As a protected person, I have to give my testimony. I never take these messages lightly — we forward them for legal action, and the procedure follows its course,” he said.