Belgrade prosecutor warns media over Senjak coverage
The Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor's Office has issued an appeal to media not to publish suspect and witness statements in the Senjak restaurant investigation.
- The Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor's Office issued an appeal to media not to publish suspect and witness statements.
- Prosecutors said publishing unverified information could compromise the investigation.
- The probe into the Senjak restaurant case covers 10 suspects.
- The prosecutor's office has issued more than 16 statements on the case to date.
The Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued a public appeal asking media to refrain from publishing unverified information related to the investigation into the events at the Senjak restaurant. Release number 1140, issued on May 28, is the latest in a series of statements the office has published in this case.
The release said publishing statements by suspects and witnesses before the investigation is concluded could affect the proceedings and compromise the outcome. The appeal was directed at all newsrooms and media covering the case.
What prosecutors allege
According to the release, the Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued more than 16 statements and three appeals related to this case since the investigation began on May 12. Prosecutors specifically urge media to:
- refrain from publishing suspect statements taken during evidentiary actions
- not publish the identities of witnesses who have been questioned
- not suggest conclusions on guilt before the investigation is concluded
- not draw on sources from unreliable informal channels
The release notes that the investigation is complex, covers multiple suspects, and that any publication of material from evidentiary actions can influence witnesses and proceedings.
Legal framework for reporting
The offense of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information under Article 387 of the Criminal Code, together with provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, regulates protection of investigative data. Media bear an obligation to recognize when material from a confidential investigation is being published.
The Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office calls on all media not to publish statements by suspects and witnesses, as well as other documents from the case file, as this could compromise the investigation and damage the proceedings.
The prosecutor’s office said it would respond in accordance with the law in cases where unauthorized disclosure of information is established. Specific complaints against individual media outlets were not mentioned in the release.
Context of the case
The investigation into the events at the Senjak restaurant began on May 12, following an offense in which A. N. died. The prosecutor’s office has since expanded the case to 10 suspects, including the former chief of the Belgrade Police Administration, Veselin M.
A pretrial judge at the Belgrade Higher Court has ordered up to 30 days’ detention for the suspects. Under standard procedure, detention may be extended once that term expires.
The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.
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