Balkan Insight

Holding power to account. Exposing wrongdoing. Empowering people to make informed choices. Uncompromising cross-border journalism by @BIRN_Network

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Former Serbian Economy Minister Rade Basta is suspected of abusing his office while running a Belgrade power utility company by approving unjustified donations to various sports associations.

https://t.co/xbH4ATs1YW

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Russia’s embassy in Bucharest has not yet commented. The announcement comes amid growing concerns in Romania over Russian cyber threats and hybrid attacks, particularly targeting government institutions and critical infrastructure.

Background:
https://t.co/vH5897dnUu

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

A Russian-linked hacking group called Turla staged a cyberattack on a Romanian government organisation last year in an attempt to identify emails sent to or received from NATO and the EU, Romania’s intelligence agency SRI announced on Wednesday.

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

“The attackers exploited a series of systemic vulnerabilities in Microsoft operating systems, but the attack was stopped,” the SRI said in a statement. “ No leak of sensitive data was identified, and the affected email service has been fixed.”

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https://t.co/Ooj8Do29aR

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Parliamentarian Anka Mrak Taritas, from the Civic Liberal Alliance, GLAS, said on Wednesday that she is seeking amendments to the Public Assembly Act to prohibit gatherings of people praying outside hospitals, which have become a common occurrence in Croatia.

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Police arrest 15 suspects and seize around 150 kilogrammes of drugs as part of months-long investigation into two suspected organised crime groups.

https://t.co/fdSXvEwlLH

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

A row over the salaries of judges and prosecutors in Albania has ramifications for the independence of the judiciary, experts say.

https://t.co/n7LaZ1YpbK

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Political analyst Petar Arsovski says the country risks falling further behind its neighbours as its EU accession remains stalled – and overcoming the impasse with Bulgaria will require both courage and a more active role by Brussels.

https://t.co/3OV46KgPAj

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

A growing scandal over illegally dumped hazardous waste in Croatia threatens to inflict serious damage on the ruling HDZ party after a decade in power.

https://t.co/GoF9i35hcg

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Report says it suspects Belgrade Prosecution 'committed criminal offences' in its handling of cases concerning anti-government protesters and the authorities' alleged use of a 'sound cannon' at a demonstration.

https://t.co/GFw56h7wKg

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

The court said former Bosnian Serb interior minister Mico Stanisic, who is serving 22 years in prison for war crimes, has failed to "sufficiently demonstrate rehabilitation".

https://t.co/3vidaEUlFR

[Reporting Democracy @Rept_Democracy]

Seventeen years after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bosnia’s constitution unlawfully discriminates against Roma, Jews and 15 other minorities, they remain barred from the country’s highest political offices.

https://t.co/2UgUcBPaDr

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Day of mourning declared after vehicle crash on Trakia motorway leaves at least 12 dead and 50 injured.

https://t.co/4pVFi5mQ6T

[Reporting Democracy @Rept_Democracy]

On November 7, Cracow experienced its deadliest attack since the Second World War. Six people were killed and 15 others injured when a gunman opened fire in the historic city centre.

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Authorities ban media from reporting deadly factory blast in Izmir province that has killed 17 workers, prompting concerns over public's right to access information.

https://t.co/gSzoWElZmS

[Reporting Democracy @Rept_Democracy]

Seventeen years after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Bosnia’s constitution unlawfully discriminates against Roma, Jews and 15 other minorities, they remain barred from the country’s highest political offices.
https://t.co/26sXkMdaNG

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

With Hashim Thaci and its other former leaders behind bars in The Hague, analysts say it’s time for the once-powerful Democratic Party of Kosovo to face the future and decide what it stands for.
https://t.co/UTpCEblAKH

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

Sanctions imposed on several TV talk shows over language used by guests are raising concerns about restrictions about the right to freely debate the ongoing anti-government protests in Albania.
https://t.co/qFovLTqtOb

[Balkan Insight @BalkanInsight]

European Commission President pledges 60 million euros to Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey to monitor – and respond to – the growing spillover from Russia's war on Ukraine.
https://t.co/uL8Xhhk7uB