Bosnia and Herzegovina: Known Troll Targets Al-Jazeera's Dalija Hasanbegovic – Prosecutor Must Act
Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
Date: March 30, 2023
Hate speech messages and Facebook comments are sent to Al-Jazeera Balkans' Dalija Hasanbegovic, including by Jasmin Mulahusic. Mulahusic is currently under police investigation for threatening behavior on social media against others. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands that Bosnia Herzegovina’s Prosecutor’s Office charges Mulahusic and others immediately.
On March 22, Dalija Hasanbegovic posted screenshots of threats she received on social media.
Examples of harassment she received included comments calling her a “disgusting gnat,” “sl*t,” and threatening to “f*ck her dead or alive.” Commentators also threatened her unborn child after Hasanbegovic announced she was pregnant.
Kažu da su "digitalna patriotska brigada". Znamo već ko ovo podstiče, kreira i ko podržava. Oprostite zbog vulgarnosti. Dio "albuma lijepih želja" koje od njih dobijam zadnji mjesec. Direktne kletve za mrtvorođenče namjerno preskačem, odbijam prihvatiti da to neko može napisati. pic.twitter.com/0r5NW1qJ00
— Dalija Hasanbegovic (@DalijaAJB) March 22, 2023
“They say they are the ‘digital patriot brigade,’” wrote Hasanbegovic on Twitter. “We already know who instigates, creates, and supports this.”
Among the examples of hate speech sent to her via messages and under her social media posts were comments from Jasmin Mulahusic, a person under investigation by the police for inciting hate against other journalists.
Targeting of Hasanbegovic
“I am a target of a group of fake and real profiles that, in an orchestrated and organized manner, with a well-thought-out agenda, attempt to discredit me with lies and constructions, tarnish my reputation, or in the worst case – provoke a third party to attack me,” said Hasanbegovic.
“Although everything was duly reported to the Sarajevo Canton Prosecutor’s Office, my case has been dormant for over three and a half years.”
Hasanbegovic is a well-known public figure for her work. She says she is targeted partly because of her husband's political involvement, current Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elmedin Konakovic.
Serial harasser of journalists
Mulahusic, a resident of Luxembourg, is currently under investigation for harassing journalists online. Association BH Journalists has reported fifteen threats and hate speech incidents to police.
In 2021, the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced it was investigating him for the criminal offense of spreading national, religious, and racial intolerance, based on numerous reports filed against Mulahusic by journalists and several politicians.
Border officials arrested Mulahusic when he attempted to cross the border out of Bosnia and Herzegovina in September 2021 but was released by the Court of BiH without charge. He returned to his home in Luxembourg and continued to incite hatred online.
Three years later, journalists are filing new criminal charges against Mulahusic. There is still no indictment.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is astounded by the lack of progress in the investigation into Mulahusic. The individual consistently targets and harasses journalists for years without being charged. The lack of an indictment against this known troll encourages continuation without fear of reprisal. Complaints by Hasanbegovic and journalist organizations should be taken seriously. We call on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Prosecutor’s Office to immediately charge Jasmin Mulahusic.
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.