The Gecic Law firm sent a formal warning to the editors of N1, Nova, Danas, and other independent newsrooms in Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, demanding the removal of dozens of investigative articles and threatening lawsuits, court injunctions, and claims for financial damages.
In a letter dated January 13, 2026, the firm claims that our reporting is defamatory and demands that we cease further coverage, remove published articles, issue apologies and corrections, and preserve and hand over journalists’ notes and documents as well as records of their communication with sources.
The letter signed by lawyer Bogdan Gecic, who claims to represent Gecic Law. However, a review of relevant registers and the firm’s website indicates that Gecic Law is not a separate legal entity, but merely a name used by attorney Bogdan Gecic in his individual practice. Writing about himself in the third person, in a letter sent to numerous news organizations, lawyer Gecic also fails to clearly identify — by any legally proper standard — the specific media outlets or portals to which his claims apply.
The letter is not legally clear in its use of various concepts borrowed from different legal systems, none of which are applicable under the relevant law.
We are publishing this letter in full so that the public can see how legal pressure is being used against independent journalism in the context of reporting on Telekom Serbia, United Group, and the law firm representing both sides.
The articles targeted by these threats address issues of exceptional public interest, including the role of a law firm that simultaneously represents a state-owned telecommunications company and the largest private media group in the region; the firm’s possible ties to senior government officials; and the consequences of these relationships for media independence and freedom of information.
Instead of responding to the specific facts presented in the published articles, the firm demands a ban on further reporting, invoking attorney–client privilege and confidentiality as grounds for censorship.
Attorney–client privilege binds lawyers, not journalists. It cannot be used to prevent the media from reporting on facts and information of public importance obtained through lawful means. “Gecic Law” has been invited on multiple occasions to respond to questions from our newsrooms. To date, it has not done so. We reject attempts at intimidation through legal threats and will continue reporting on issues that are crucial to the public interest, democratic oversight, and media freedom.
The questions we sent on Monday, January 11, 2026, were as follows:
Why are you, as an attorney, involved in media reorganization? We learned this from the Lučić–Miller conversation, in which it was stated that you were providing reorganization plans. Why are you engaged in this work? Miller said, quote: “Bogdan briefly informed me, sent me some documents, and I connected him with our bankers who are working on the separation of the media business in Serbia.”
You represent two competing companies, Telekom and United Group, and are involved in media-related matters for one of them. Does this constitute a conflict of interest under professional rules?
In one of your recent public appearances, you stated that lawyers must exercise double discipline when it comes to conflicts of interest and confidentiality. Why do you not adhere to these standards yourself?
In 2020, you represented Telekom when this state-owned company developed a plan to destroy United Group. Now, six years later, you are entering United Group in Serbia as its lawyer. Is that plan now nearing completion?
You stated in our phone conversation that you did not threaten colleague Ana Novaković with dismissal. Novaković, however, says that you stated several times, quote: “Everything you did is grounds for dismissal.” Attorney Ninić was present during one of these instances. Do you stand by your claim?
Whole text can be found here.
Source: N1
