The Basic Court of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina has confirmed an indictment against Goja Bogičević from Brčko, accused of assaulting a reporter and cameraman from the Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIN).
Brčko District Prosecutors’ Office alleges Bogičević caused minor injuries to the journalists and damaged their equipment during the incident, which occurred in late February while they were filming for a story in the district.
“In response to the incident, Brčko District Police, under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office, immediately undertook urgent investigative measures,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
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At the time, the CIN team was investigating Brčko politician and businessman Zoran Kokanović, the owner of residential and commercial properties and a chain of betting shops, which they were filming on this occasion in the Ilićka neighbourhood of Brčko.
As they were filming, a group of people emerged from a nearby building, including members of the Bogičević family, who shouted and forbade the filming of their property. Despite the journalists identifying themselves and explaining what and why they were filming, and that they were doing so from a public area, the Bogičević family refused to engage and instead physically attacked them.
They tore notes from the reporter’s hands, damaged her bag, snatched her umbrella, pulled at her jacket, and tore the cameraman’s tripod, damaging it in the process, while also attempting to seize his mobile phone. The CIN cameraman was slightly injured while trying to calm the situation, protect the equipment, and record the incident.
A hearing is scheduled for 18 August 2025, when the accused Bogičević will be questioned regarding the issuance of a penal order. This is a summary procedure with the possibility of a fine being imposed.