18 - 25 August 2026 | Weekly Regional Briefing

This week: Bosnia's public broadcaster BHRT calls on the High Representative and the judiciary's own watchdog to intervene as judges hearing cases against Republika Srpska's public broadcaster face what it calls a political "hunt," Portuguese investor Alpac Capital completes its takeover of Serbia's leading independent outlets, N1, Nova S, Danas and Radar, months ahead of expected elections, Kosovo's police oversight body recommends suspending two officers over the alleged beating of a Kosovo Serb during a raid in the north, and North Macedonia's former deputy prime minister Artan Grubi heads to trial next week over an alleged €8.2 million lottery-procurement scheme.

18 - 25 August 2026 | Weekly Regional Briefing

Bosnia: Broadcaster Demands OHR and Judicial Council Protect Judges From "Political Hunt"

BHRT's acting director general has written to the Office of the High Representative and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council demanding urgent protection for judges hearing BHRT's licence-fee disputes against Republika Srpska's state broadcaster, RTRS. BHRT says RTRS programming has branded the judges "traitors" and subjected them to what it calls public lynching, and has separately filed a complaint with the communications regulator. It argues the campaign undermines judicial independence and the separation of powers guaranteed under Dayton.

Source: Sarajevo Times

Serbia: Portuguese Investor Completes Takeover of Independent Media Ahead of Elections

Alpac Capital, the Portuguese group that also holds a majority stake in Euronews, has formally taken control of N1, Nova S, Danas and Radar, among Serbia's most prominent outlets for critical coverage of the government with new directors registered this week. The change follows a May agreement to buy the outlets from United Group and lands as Belgrade heads toward elections, prompting civil society concern over the independence of Serbia's remaining critical press.

Source: European Western Balkans

Kosovo: Police Watchdog Recommends Suspending Officers Over Alleged Beating of Serb

Kosovo's Police Inspectorate has recommended suspending two officers from the North Mitrovica Regional Police Directorate after investigating allegations that Nenad Rašković, a Kosovo Serb, was beaten during a raid on his home in Zubin Potok municipality on 11 August. Rašković says he was left tied to a tree before being freed and hospitalised; police say the raid targeted a weapons investigation. The case now moves to the Mitrovica prosecution.

Source: Balkan Insight (BIRN)

North Macedonia: Ex-Deputy PM Grubi's Corruption Trial Set to Open

A Skopje court has assigned former first deputy prime minister Artan Grubi's corruption trial to a judge, with proceedings due to open 24 August. Grubi and seven co-defendants are accused of pushing through an illegal purchase of video lottery terminals in 2023–24 that prosecutors say cost the State Lottery more than €8.2 million, despite allegedly knowing the procedure was unlawful.

Source: Balkan Insight (BIRN)