EFJ and IFJ concerned by disappearance of Serbian journalist

European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ and IFJ) expressed a deep concern regarding the disappearance of Serbian journalist Stefan Cvetkovic.

Cvetkovic has been reported missing on the night between 13 and 14 of June 2018 in the Vojvodina town of Bela Crkva. Local police confirmed that journalists car was found parked with doors open and light on. Witnesses confirmed that his wristwatch was found with the bracelet broken next to it, and mobile phones switched off.

Serbian authorities are sweeping the territory surrounding the place where the car was found, engaging divers, police dogs and special forces.

The EFJ-IFJ joined its Serbian affiliates, the Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS), the Independent Journalists' Association (NUNS) and the Journalists' Union of Serbia (SINOS), in their call for the local police authorities and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take necessary measures in the searching operation.

In the recent years, Stefan Cvetkovic has publicly complained regarding the received threats from criminal and political circles in Serbia. On 19 of May 2018 Stefan Cvetkovic publicly stated that he had been detained for six hours the Kosovo authorities on the administrative border crossing for questioning regarding his connections related to investigation on the murder of the politician Oliver Ivanovic under the orders of the special prosecutor investigating the same murder.