“Political persecution of journalists”

Journalist Milos Vasic says the lawsuit filed against him by a Zemun Clan lawyer is an example of political persecution. Yesterday, the Municipal Court in Subotica cleared the Vreme journalist of charges of libel filed by Biljana Kajganic, who formerly represented Zemun Clan member and associate-witness Dejan Milenkovic. “Political persecution of journalists” Kajganic filed the suit against Vasic for publishing transcripts of recorded conversations she had had with Milenkovic that Vasic had access to and published in 2004. Milenkovic appeared to testify at the main hearing, while Kajganic herself and her lawyer were absent, stating that they were on vacation. Vasic said that the lawsuit was an example of the political persecution of journalists in Serbia. “I am more and more convinced— initially I might have had some doubts, but now I don’t—that this is an example of the political persecution of journalists,” he said. “This is a whole set of conversations, not just one. About 10 have already been recorded on CD and the contents are very interesting, and because of that, I am convinced that this is a case of political persecution. Since, as I was informed when checking the authenticity of the claims I made in the story in question, there are quite a few things there—many indeed are even worse,” the journalist said. In the published conversations Kajganic advises her client to surrender, since, in a alleged special deal with the Serbian political elite and intelligence agencies, she says she has been able to guarantee him special status provided he accuses protected witness Ljubisa Buha of the murder of Momir Gavrilovic. Kajganic denied the contents of the story and filed charges against Vasic in the Third Municipal Court in Belgrade. The charges were dismissed, but Kajganic then filed the same charges two years later in Subotica, where they were dismissed once again. However, there has been a lot of speculation in the media as to whether the transcript of the conversations really exists and where it is located. Vasic says he has proposed on several occasions to have the discussions played at a closed session, but his proposals have been rejected. “If some state or service secret is involved, given the way the suit was filed, then that could be checked at some kind of secret meeting. But, no! My proposal was turned down every time, and now we’re waiting for the verdict against the person who assassinated Zoran Djindjic, and when it takes effect and the case becomes public, we hope to be able to find out then. That is the only thing that is legitimate in these kinds of cases,” he explains. The story has led to numerous reactions from former senior officials at the time. The state of Serbia also filed a suit against Vasic for bringing senior government officials into disrepute. The case was terminated on January 1, 2006 after an amendment to the law was ratified.

“Political persecution of journalists”

Kajganić filed the suit against Vasić for publishing transcripts of recorded conversations she had had with Milenković that Vasić had access to and published in 2004.

Milenković appeared to testify at the main hearing, while Kajganić herself and her lawyer were absent, stating that they were on vacation.

Vasić said that the lawsuit was an example of the political persecution of journalists in Serbia.

“I am more and more convinced— initially I might have had some doubts, but now I don’t—that this is an example of the political persecution of journalists,” he said.

“This is a whole set of conversations, not just one. About 10 have already been recorded on CD and the contents are very interesting, and because of that, I am convinced that this is a case of political persecution. Since, as I was informed when checking the authenticity of the claims I made in the story in question, there are quite a few things there—many indeed are even worse,” the journalist said.

In the published conversations Kajganić advises her client to surrender, since, in a alleged special deal with the Serbian political elite and intelligence agencies, she says she has been able to guarantee him special status provided he accuses protected witness Ljubiša Buha of the murder of Momir Gavrilović.

Kajganić denied the contents of the story and filed charges against Vasić in the Third Municipal Court in Belgrade.

The charges were dismissed, but Kajganić then filed the same charges two years later in Subotica, where they were dismissed once again.

However, there has been a lot of speculation in the media as to whether the transcript of the conversations really exists and where it is located.

Vasić says he has proposed on several occasions to have the discussions played at a closed session, but his proposals have been rejected.

“If some state or service secret is involved, given the way the suit was filed, then that could be checked at some kind of secret meeting. But, no! My proposal was turned down every time, and now we’re waiting for the verdict against the person who assassinated Zoran Đinđic, and when it takes effect and the case becomes public, we hope to be able to find out then. That is the only thing that is legitimate in these kinds of cases,” he explains.

The story has led to numerous reactions from former senior officials at the time.

The state of Serbia also filed a suit against Vasić for bringing senior government officials into disrepute. The case was terminated on January 1, 2006 after an amendment to the law was ratified.