Work laptops stolen of investigative reporters exposing organized crime
Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
Date: July 14, 2023
While staff from investigative media outlet Žurnal gathered to celebrate the company’s anniversary, the home of its journalists Žana Karić-Gauk and Eldin Karić was ransacked. Žurnal is continuously harassed and threatened for exposing corruption. The Coalition For Women In Journalism believes this home invasion was an attempt to silence investigative journalists. We call on the police to act.
“The fact that the burglary was committed on the birthday of our newsroom is a symbolic act of warning, a cynical "congratulation" that organized criminal organizations are prone to,” Žurnal staff wrote.
On July 14, Žurnal journalist Žana Karić Gauk and her partner, editor Eldin Karić, returned to their apartment after celebrating their outlet’s fourteenth anniversary to find their property in disarray and their work computers missing. Clothes and items were strewn across the floor, but nothing else of value was taken.
Žurnal’s staff were when the break-in took place. The outlet believes the break-in is “another form of pressure on the work of our editorial office.”
The Bosnia and Herzegovina Journalists Association condemned the incident and views it as a deliberate effort to intimidate and silence investigative reporting on corruption and crime involving high-ranking officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A day before the break-in, Žana Karić Gauk won an ACCOUNT award for outstanding research on corruption in the country. Gauk's winning article shed light on the consequences of corruption in the healthcare sector.
The incident was reported to police, and officers carried out an investigation. No suspects have been found so far.
Apartment of Žana Karić-Gauk after break-in, July 14, 2023
Escalating threats against journalists
Due to their investigative reporting, staff from Žurnal have faced death threats as well as physical assaults. This latest incident is part of a broader pattern of violence against journalists, extending beyond the workplace and targeting their personal property.
A recent US State Department report noted that journalists and media in Bosnia and Herzegovina faced ongoing intimidation, political pressure, threats, and harassment. Media face political and financial pressure, including tax audits for critical reporting. Investigative stories on corruption and lack of accountability in the judicial system often led to threats and pressure on journalists.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by the invasion of the home of Žana Karić-Gauk and Eldin Karić, both journalists are known for their research into corruption involving state officials. The fact that nothing was taken except their computers indicates that this break-in was related to their work as journalists. Such intimidation aims to instill fear and divert journalists from their vital work of holding political leaders accountable.
We urge the police to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the break-in and identify those responsible.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.