Urgent Announcement by PEN International Regarding the Attacks on KROKODIL

29 Oct Urgent Announcement by PEN International Regarding the Attacks on KROKODIL

Serbia: Urgently investigate threats against KROKODIL Centre for Contemporary Literature

‘The latest threats against KROKODIL and its staff are of the utmost concern. That the assailants have yet to be apprehended sends a dangerous signal not only to KROKODIL, but to everyone brave enough to express dissenting views in Serbia. We urge the authorities to break the vicious cycle of impunity for KROKODIL, its fearless staff and fellow independent voices in Serbia.’ Ma Thida, Chair of PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee. 

 29 October 2024: The Serbian authorities must promptly, independently and impartially investigate mounting threats against the KROKODIL Centre for Contemporary Literature and its staff, PEN International said today, after unknown Russian-speaking individuals entered its premises, took down a Ukrainian flag and intimidated employees. No one has been held to account to date. PEN International further urges the Serbian authorities to do everything in their power to prevent and protect against threats to writers and other creatives. 

 On 20 September 2024 at around 4pm, a group of Russian-speaking men wearing clothing with far-right Serbian imagery, entered the premises of KROKODIL in Belgrade, took down a Ukrainian flag and intimidated staff. KROKODIL, which notably set up the first Ukrainian library in Serbia, hosted Ukrainian writers and delivered humanitarian aid to Ukraine, is one of the few associations in Serbia that actively denounces Russian propaganda. Although KROKODIL staff reported the incident to the police and provided high-resolution security camera footage, no progress has been reported in the investigation at the time of writing.  

 Set up in 2009 with the aim of building bridges in the Western Balkans, KROKODIL is an internationally acclaimed association focusing on literature, culture and socio-political programmes, which hosts a renowned annual literary festival in Belgrade. Its President and Creative Director is Vladimir Arsenijević, an award-winning writer, translator and publisher.  

 KROKODIL has faced systematic and sustained pressure from the Serbian authorities since its inception, with threats soaring following the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The office is often vandalized, and offensive graffiti is painted on its outside walls. In an alarming move, the authorities filed 28 misdemeanor charges against KROKODIL and its staff for removing hateful graffiti in Belgrade and other cities in Serbia. KROKODIL set up a SLAPP Back Fund, relying on private donations to cover mounting legal fees. Staff have also reported receiving threats of physical violence – including sexual violence – and death threats. Despite regularly informing the relevant authorities, impunity persists, encouraging further threats and attacks. 

 As documented by PEN International, independent writers and other creatives in Serbia are under sustained onslaught. Their continued stigmatisation by political leaders and the state’s failure to prevent and sanction such acts, fuel a climate of anxiety, fear, and insecurity. PEN International is particularly concerned by the lack of effective police investigations into alleged crimes against writers and urges the Serbian authorities to redouble efforts to hold those responsible to account – starting with the latest attacks against KROKODIL. 

 For more information about PEN International’s work on Serbia, please click here. 

 For further details contact Aurélia Dondo, Head of Europe and Central Asia Region at PEN International: Aurelia.dondo@pen-international.org 

Link to PEN International article: https://www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-urgently-investigate-threats-against-krokodil-centre-for-contemporary-literature