The Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) expresses deep concern over new information and a report submitted to the competent authorities by Radar weekly journalist Predrag Simonović, indicating the continuation of a targeted intimidation campaign linked to his journalistic work and public appearances. Predrag Simonović states that the latest incidents represent a continuation and escalation of the pressure that IJAS publicly addressed a few days ago, when we warned about the targeting and threats sent to him at the end of January.
In his latest report, Predrag Simonović notes that harassing calls were made to members of his family, including a minor child, shortly after midnight on the night between 14 and 15 February. According to the report, the content communicated on that occasion was bizarre, vulgar and deeply disturbing, with elements of sexually explicit harassment. IJAS stresses that involving a family, especially a child, in such forms of harassment is particularly dangerous and unacceptable. Such actions constitute a serious attack on privacy, safety and dignity, and represent an attempt to intimidate a journalist through his closest relatives.
IJAS calls on the Special Department for High-Tech Crime of the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade and the Ministry of the Interior to, without delay, undertake all actions within their competence to identify the perpetrator, determine any possible links to earlier threats, and ensure protection for the journalist and his family. IJAS will continue to monitor the actions of the institutions in this case and will insist on an urgent, professional and transparent response, with full respect for privacy and the protection of the minor child.
Attacks on journalists do not end with an attack on an individual: when pressure extends to the family, especially to children, society enters a zone of dangerous normalisation of violence and impunity. This must be stopped immediately.
IJAS expresses full solidarity with our colleague Predrag Simonović and his family. We remain at their disposal for all forms of support – legal, advisory and psychological, and we call on all institutions to act without delay to clarify this case and prevent further harassment and endangerment of safety.
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Belgrade, 17 February 2026
