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Holding power to account. Exposing wrongdoing. Uncompromising cross-border journalism by BIRN. Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.com/BalkanInsight

Balkan Insight is the flagship online publication of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). We bring you news, investigations and analysis of politics, business and society in the Balkans.

09/08/2024

Experts say the often indiscriminate deployment of video surveillance technology in Serbia flies in the face of security and data protection laws.

More in our analysis:

Experts say the often indiscriminate deployment of video surveillance technology in Serbia flies in the face of security and data protection laws.

09/08/2024

A Bulgarian woman boxer’s defeat at the Olympics has inflamed ongoing disputes about gender identity issues, triggering discriminatory rhetoric from politicians and media misinformation.

More in our analysis:

A Bulgarian woman boxer’s defeat at the Olympics has inflamed ongoing disputes about gender identity issues, triggering discriminatory rhetoric from politicians and media misinformation.

09/08/2024

OPINION by Fron Nahzi I Albania has benefited heavily from funds to fight graft and strengthen democracy, yet all it has to show from more than a decade of rule by Edi Rama are high-rise apartment blocks and an exodus of young Albanians.

Read the opinion:

Albania has benefited heavily from funds to fight graft and strengthen democracy, yet all it has to show from more than a decade of rule by Edi Rama are high-rise apartment blocks and an exodus of young Albanians.

09/08/2024

From Albania’s electoral reforms to more turbulence in Kosovo’s north, this week’s selection of Premium stories takes stock of change taking place in the region – and whether it is for better or worse.

Check out our Week in Review:

09/08/2024

A year since 38-year-old Nizama Hecimovic was shot dead by her partner, who live-streamed the act on Instagram, those calling for the crime of femicide to be enshrined in law say women are still paying with their lives for the state’s inaction.

Get the premium subscription to read the full article:👇

No legislative changes have been made in Bosnia and Herzegovina to address femicide in the year since the live-streamed killing of a woman by her partner, though those working to support victims say they have seen some readiness on the part of the courts to offer better protection.

09/08/2024

According to Free Web Turkey’s Internet Censorship Report 2023, 5,881 of the 14,680 blocked news articles in Turkey concerned corruption and other alleged wrongdoing by authorities.

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The use of court orders to block online content in Turkey skyrocketed last year, according to a newly-published report accusing authorities under President Erdogan of trying to cover up their wrongdoing.

09/08/2024

In this edition, the TWiCE team talks to Claudia Ciobanu, BIRN’s Warsaw correspondent, who discusses the race between Ukraine and Russia to develop AI-driven autonomous drones and gain a crucial edge in the war.

09/08/2024

Elsewhere, Hungarian judges complain about poor pay; corruption crackdown in Czechia snares mayor and others; Russian sabotage in Poland remains real risk.

No legislative changes have been made in Bosnia and Herzegovina to address femicide in the year since the live-streamed ...

09/08/2024

More than 200,000 items of online content were blocked by Turkish courts last year, a six-fold increase on 2022, according to a monitoring group that says the government is wielding the measure “to cover up their irregularities and corruption”.

More in our analysis. 👇

08/08/2024

Study calls attention to the forgotten victims of the war crime on Petrovac Road in 1995, when a column of Serb civilians fleeing Croatia's Operation Storm was targeted by the Croatian Air Force and 13 of them killed.

08/08/2024

Austria has asked Noth Macedonia to investigate the background of a 19-year-old man suspected of planning a terrorist attack at the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna and who originates from North Macedonia.

08/08/2024

🇷🇴 🇲🇩 | Romanian and Moldovan authorities have detained 12 members of an organised crime group that used a fake investment scheme to get access to victims’ bank accounts, according to EU criminal justice agency.

The group allegedly scammed 150 people and earned 3 million euros.

Read BIRN’s report on a previous organised crime bust involving Romania and Moldova 👇

Police in Romania and Moldova staged a joint operation to crack organised criminal groups smuggling large numbers of people to Western Europe.

08/08/2024

🇽🇰 | The Kosovo authorities on Thursday carried out technical checks on the Mitrovica main bridge, using trucks to test its bearing capacity, as the government eyed opening the bridge despite concerns from Kosovo's Western allies and local Serbs in the north.

Deputy Prime Minister of Infrastructure, Hysen Durmishi, told media that tests will be completed today and that the government expects a final report on the bridge “within two, three days”.

📸: BIRN

08/08/2024

Milka Domanovic, BIRN’s regional director, said that the articles will not be deleted and described the attempt by Ayavefe’s lawyers to have them removed via the courts as unacceptable pressure on independent media.

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network said it will not take down reports about convicted Turkish fraudster Yasam Ayavefe and described an order from a Turkish court to remove the articles as an attack on media freedom.

08/08/2024

Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body deems Montenegro's recent progress 'limited', noting that it has implemented only three of its 22 recommendations.

08/08/2024

In the latest in a series of access bans, the popular game platform Roblox has been blocked by a court in Turkey for allowing content that could allegedly 'lead to child abuse'.

08/08/2024

The exploitation of workers – locals as well as migrants – is a growing concern in the Western Balkans. Despite its prevalence, the scourge too often goes unreported and unaddressed.

08/08/2024

This week’s shutdown of Serbia-run post offices in the north of Kosovo is only one of many such operations within the last three years.

A look back at three years of tension in the four Serb-majority municipalities 👇

This week’s shutdown of Serbia-run post offices in north of Kosovo is only one of many such operations within the last three years. Since the summer of 2021, the north has constantly topped the political agenda, with incidents resulting in deaths, woundings and other security alerts. BIRN looks ba...

08/08/2024

With roots in Poland, an ultra-conservative Catholic prayer movement calling for the ‘restoration’ of male authority within the family is spreading in Croatia, finding support from within the government and some resistance on the streets.

07/08/2024

People all over North Macedonia are mourning the loss of their beloved Asian elephant Dunja, who spent her last years in Skopje Zoo – but had to be euthanized due to growing health problems and old age.

07/08/2024

Law change drafted by the far-right pro-Russian Revival party unexpectedly gained traction after winning support from pro-Western parties as well.

07/08/2024

Protesters gathered in North Mitrovica to condemn the Kosovo government’s push to fully open the main bridge in the divided town, which has been closed to vehicles since the end of the war in June 1999.

07/08/2024

The Dokufest film festival's programme boldly focused on Palestine and Ukraine, defying concerns expressed by some other cultural festival organisers that highlighting the Palestinians' plight can put funding at risk.

07/08/2024

After returning from the Paris Olympics, Kosovo’s team, including two judoka medalists, were given a hearty reception at Pristina city square on Tuesday evening.

Read more 👉 https://balkaninsight.com/2024/08/07/kosovo-welcomes-home-olympic-team-medalists/

07/08/2024

Pollution and sand extraction are destroying the Vardar River in North Macedonia, say the boatmen who sail its waters every year.

07/08/2024

In Moldova, pro-Russian propaganda is seducing pensioners ahead of an October election and a referendum on EU membership. In autonomous Gagauzia, where ties with Moscow are strong, older residents are being courted with cash from a fugitive oligarch.

06/08/2024

A documentary made by BIRN about Bosnian rock guitarist Samir ‘Bowie’ Mehic looks at his wartime life in besieged Srebrenica before his death in the July 1995 genocide.

06/08/2024

Minister says Instagram has failed to meet Turkish government demands as price of lifting ban imposed on August 2 but 'active discussions' continue.

06/08/2024

Serbia, the US and the EU all condemned the closure by police of Serbian-run post offices in the north of Kosovo, with Serbia's president appealing to Brussels to take action.

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North Macedonia Looks to Nepal to Fill Labour Gap, but Some Don’t Stay

A high proportion of Nepalese citizens hired to work in North Macedonia end up trying to enter the European Union irregularly. Read the story: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/23/north-macedonia-looks-to-nepal-to-fill-labour-gap-but-some-dont-stay/

Bislim Zyrapi, former Chief of KLA General Staff, after testifying for three weeks at the war crimes trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and three co-accused, admitted several prosecution points but also confirmed some of the defence’s stances. Read our analysis: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/23/ex-kla-supremos-testimony-at-thaci-trial-bolsters-both-prosecution-and-defence-cases/

Montenegro should not take reciprocal measures against Croatia, after declaring three top Montenegrin officials as persona non grata, Montenegrin parliament speaker, Andrija Mandic said. Croatia on Thursday declared Mandic unwelcome, along with Deputy Prime Minister, Aleksa Becic and the MP and head of the pro-Serbian party, Milan Knezevic. "No well-intentioned person could have guessed that in 2024, modern Croatia would be identified with the [Nazi-allied] Independent State of Croatia. [NDH] in such a way that the leaders of the three parties would be banned from entering it," said Mandic. Read our background story: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/25/croatia-bans-three-top-montenegrin-officials-over-jasenovac-resolution/

North Macedonia Looks to Nepal to Fill Labour Gap, but Some Don’t Stay

A large fraction of Nepalese citizens who work in North Macedonia attempt to enter the European Union irregularly. Read the story: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/23/north-macedonia-looks-to-nepal-to-fill-labour-gap-but-some-dont-stay/

North Macedonia Looks to Nepal to Fill Labour Gap, but Some Don’t Stay

Many Nepalese workers have made the journey to North Macedonia, but for some, the country is merely a stepping stone to the European Union. 30 Nepalese citizens were already stopped this year while trying to cross into Greece illegally. Saddled with debt, they become easy targets for fraudsters promising safe passage to the EU. Read the story: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/23/north-macedonia-looks-to-nepal-to-fill-labour-gap-but-some-dont-stay/

Inaction on Air Pollution Means Serbians, Macedonians ‘Pay with Their Health’

Air pollution in North Macedonia kills roughly 1,350 people every year. Children are most vulnerable. Six-year-old Petra has to be taken to the hospital at least once a month when something sets off her allergic rhinitis. Read the story: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/18/inaction-on-air-pollution-means-serbians-macedonians-pay-with-their-health/

Inaction on Air Pollution Means Serbians, Macedonians ‘Pay with Their Health’

Despite millions of euros in European Union funds, people in Serbia and North Macedonia are still breathing the most polluted air in Europe. Air pollution in North Macedonia kills roughly 1,350 people every year. Children are most vulnerable. Six-year-old Petra has to be taken to the hospital at least once a month when something sets off her allergic rhinitis. Read the story: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/18/inaction-on-air-pollution-means-serbians-macedonians-pay-with-their-health/

Two Montenegrin policemen and one former police officer were arrested on the order of the basic state prosecutor's office on suspicion of torturing a prisoner. The prosecution stated that those arrested are suspected of abusing and extorting a statement from an alleged member of the notorious Skaljari crime clan in 2021. Read our background story: https://balkaninsight.com/2023/06/22/coe-report-urges-montenegro-to-investigate-police-brutality/

Presenting its new fiscal strategy, the government of Montenegro predicted the average salary in the country will soon be 1,000 euros - about 180 euros more than currently. "The minimum wage for high school graduates will be 600 euros, and for university graduates 800 euros. We will reduce income from contributions and compensate with various other measures," Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said, presenting the strategy on behalf of the parliamentary majority. Read our background story: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/04/18/economists-question-basis-for-rapid-montenegrin-wage-growth/

Albania High Court decided on Wednesday not to grant parental rights to a same-sex couple in Tirana, the couple confirmed to BIRN. In a previous interview with BIRN, they said that if they lost the case with the Higher Court, the next step would be taking it to the Constitutional Court. Background: https://balkaninsight.com/2023/01/13/gay-couple-in-albania-eyes-strasbourg-in-battle-over-parental-rights/

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague sentenced former Kosovo Liberation Army member Pjeter Shala to 18 years in prison for committing the war crimes of arbitrary detention and torture against at least 18 detainees and the murder of one detainee. Background: https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/20/kosovos-commander-wolf-cries-foul-as-war-crimes-trial-begins/

Upon his arrival to Athens, Fredi Beleri, an elected member of the European Parliament serving jail in Albania, said he will continue to fight for democracy and human rights. “My adventure is coming to an end, and the fight for democracy, the rule of law, and civil liberties continue," Beleri said after he was granted a five-days release by Albanian authorities to be sworn in as MEP on July 16 in Strasbourg. Background: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/15/albanian-prison-allows-greek-mayor-elect-beleri-to-be-sworn-as-an-mep/

Serbian NGO YIHR marked the Srebrenica genocide anniversary by lighting candles in central Belgrade to commemorate the victims. Activists displayed banners saying "Too Young to Remember, Determined Never to Forget" Activists displayed the banner saying "Too Young to Remember, Determined Never to Forget"

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms party, which represents the Turkish diaspora in Bulgaria and currently has the mandate to form the country’s next government, is going through an unprecedented leadership crisis. MRF leader, oligarch Delyan Peevski, ousted 17 party MPs for pledging allegiance to founder and current honorary chairman Ahmed Dogan, who on Wednesday asked for Peevski's resignation. More on Peevski: https://balkaninsight.com/2021/10/05/bulgarian-oligarchs-offshore-assets-revealed-in-pandora-papers/

SERBIA | Serbian peace campaign group Women in Black held their annual silent mourning event in Belgrade for the victims of the July 1995 Srebrenica genocide, the day before the Bosnian commemoration on July 11. They were holding banners saying “We will never forget Srebrenica genocide”, “Solidarity”, “Accountability” and “Proclaim July 11 as Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day”.

EU Aid Fails to Stop Frustrated Youngsters Leaving North Macedonia

Watch the video to meet Matea Miloseska, a 17-year-old from Macedonia, ready to work in Croatia. Read the story to find out why youngsters are leaving North Macedonia: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/01/eu-aid-fails-to-stop-frustrated-youngsters-leaving-north-macedonia/

Osman Askin Bak, Turkish Minister for Sports and Youth, condemned UEFA's decision to suspend Turkish football player over a nationalist gesture at Euro 2024. "We will continue to seek our rights through legal means against this double standard. ... [Players] will give the necessary answer on the field!" Bak said on X. Background: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/07/05/uefa-suspends-turkish-footballer-over-nationalist-gesture-at-euro-2024/

Romanian and French authorities, with the help of Europol and Eurojust, jointly dismantled on Friday an organised criminal group trafficking young women for sexual exploitation in France. Eight people were identified as part of the organised criminal group, and multiple witnesses and victims were heard during the investigation regarding human trafficking, pimping, and money laundering since at least January 2022. https://balkaninsight.com/2024/05/29/romania-moldova-jointly-dismantle-major-migrant-smuggling-operation/

Greece has been hit by extreme weather including electrical storms, heavy rainfall and hail, causing some flooding and fires. Civil protection authority urged people to limit their movements due to the hazards caused in many areas of the country. Read our story on last year's storm damage in Greece: https://balkaninsight.com/2023/09/14/legacy-of-storm-daniel-leaves-greeces-thessaly-region-devastated/