The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) strongly condemns the reported threats against Avdo Avdić, a respected journalist in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the chief editor of the investigative platform Istraga.ba, Avdić has played a central role in unveiling corruption and organized crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina for decades.

Recently, Avdić has reportedly faced grave threats, including of assassination, as a direct result of his investigative work on drug trafficking networks.

Avdić’s investigative efforts and research on organized crime have contributed to shedding light on the deep-rooted vulnerabilities exploited by criminal networks in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkan region. The threats against him represent not only an attack on his safety but also a broader assault on press freedom and democracy.

We call on national and international authorities to act decisively, protecting Avdić and ensuring a safe environment for journalists who expose corruption and organized crime at great personal risk. The GI-TOC stands in solidarity with those who fight organized crime and corruption, and reaffirms its commitment to supporting investigative journalism, a cornerstone of democracy and accountability.