**Serbian Police Block Journalists from Croatia and Slovenia**
On Friday evening, Serbian police stopped several journalist teams from entering the country. The journalists were traveling to Belgrade to cover ongoing protests.
Among those denied entry was Slovenian journalist Marko Gregorc from POP TV. His team was held at the border for two hours before being turned back. Other journalists from Croatia’s RTL and Slobodna Dalmacija were also blocked.
Gregorc said that the Serbian Ministry of Information had told them there would be no problems reporting from the protests. However, when they arrived at the border, police pulled them aside and handed them a document saying they had to turn back due to a “negative security risk assessment”.
Gregorc believes this is an attempt by authorities in Belgrade to prevent news of the protests from reaching a global audience.
**Journalists Find Ways Around Border**
However, some Slovenian photojournalists were able to enter Belgrade without any issues. Gregorc spoke to a colleague who had no press markings on his car and was allowed through after saying he was visiting the city’s river barges.
Croatian journalist Iva Anzulovic and teams from RTL and Slobodna Dalmacija also reported similar experiences at the border.
**Condemnation from SafeJournalists**
The move has been condemned by SafeJournalists, an organization that advocates for press freedom.
