Serbian List MP Slavko Simić has been charged with inciting protesters to attack Albanian journalists during tensions in Leposavić on June 16, 2023, reports Ekonomia Online.
Tomorrow, at the Basic Court in Mitrovica, starting at 09:00, the preliminary hearing will take place against Simić and co-defendant Uroš Vukasinović. The testimonies of journalists injured during the protests are expected to be heard.
The incident occurred during protests against a visit by Minister of Local Government Administration Elbert Krasniqi to the municipal building. According to the indictment, Simić ordered the crowd to attack media personnel, and journalists were reportedly assaulted with shock bombs, punches, kicks, and other objects.
He is charged with the criminal offense of “Participation in a crowd committing a criminal act and hooliganism,” while Vukasinović faces charges of physical assault on journalists. Simić currently also holds the status of suspect for unconstitutional actions.
According to the Kosovo Journalists’ Association, over 30 attacks on journalists were recorded during three weeks of protests by Serbs in 2023, but only one person has been convicted. In February 2025, the Basic Court in Mitrovica fined Dalibor Spasić 12,000 euros after he admitted guilt for attacking journalist Burim Zariqi.
