Across the Western Balkans – Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro – journalists and activists face the same growing threat: SLAPP lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). These legal attacks are designed to silence criticism, block transparency, and intimidate those who dare to stand up for truth. Whether aimed at journalists, activists, or whistleblowers, SLAPPs misuse legal systems to drain resources, spread fear, and block accountability. The consequences? A chilling effect on free speech, weakened transparency, and less public scrutiny of those in power.
For the first time ever, the region has united to expose the worst offenders. We’ve gathered the most outrageous SLAPP cases from across the Western Balkans to call out those who misuse the law to stifle free speech and public accountability.
Our first regional Western Balkans SLAPP contest and the award ceremony for the "winners" in the 3 worst of the worst categories presented the reorganized in close cooperation with Civic Initiatives was held on November 28th in Belgrade, as a wrap up of the regional conference "Voices without Fear: The Region agains SLAPP's". Our international jury crowned the “winners” in two infamous categories, and the citizens across the region voted for the People's Choice award. This contest did what SLAPP offenders hate most – shine a spotlight on their tactics and call them out publicly.
The Obstructor of Transparency Award for those who go above and beyond to block transparency and silence public discourse is shared between:
Mayor of Belgrade Aleksandar Šapić and Former Tirana Chief Prosecutor Elizabeta Imeraj. Mayor of Belgrade Šapić, filed two separate defamation lawsuits against BIRN Serbia over reports about properties he owns - a villa in Trieste and a mansion in Belgrade. Claiming damage to his reputation, he is seeking a total of around €100,000. Elizabeta Imeraj, former Tirana chief Prosecutor, filed a defamation lawsuit against journalist Isa Myzyraj after he publicly reported threats and intimidation he faced over his coverage of her vetting process. She was later dismissed due to a loss of public trust.
The award for Environmental Degrader for those who have harmed environmental activism or reporting through SLAPPs, is also shared between:
The company Renco SPA from Albania, who filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against activist and environmentalist Lavdosh Ferruni for speaking out about the environmental risks of new marine power plants in Vlorë, an issue already protested by environmental activists. The second "winner" of this award are the owners of the company Hydro Logistics, Ivan and Slaven Burzanović from Montenegro, who filed criminal charges against Vasilije Ivanović and Denis Mekić, participants in gatherings organized to oppose the construction of a small hydroelectric power plant (SHPP) on the Skrbuša river.
The most important award was the vote of the citizens and the People's Choice Award. The winner in this category is the businessman Zoran Bećirović from Montenegro who has sued NGO MANS and the newspapers Vijestii and Dan after their stories about the suspicious business transactions involving him and the high-ranking judge Vesna Medenica.
Check the cases once again and continue to follow this important topic: https://wbslappcontest.org/
If you missed the live, you can find it here:
https://www.facebook.com/BalkanFund/videos/595902689788708
