Croatian Judge Identified as Leading SLAPP Litigator (balkaninsight.com)

• Judge Markovic targeted journalists with more than 20 individual lawsuits.
• Croatia has produced three SLAPP-related 'winners' within a five-year timeframe.
• CASE highlights systemic risks to journalistic independence in the EU.

"The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) has named Croatian judge Ivan Markovic as the primary offender in the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Markovic has initiated over 20 lawsuits against journalists, highlighting a recurring issue in Croatia, which has produced three such 'winners' in five years. This trend underscores significant concerns regarding the weaponization of the judicial system to silence investigative reporting and inhibit journalistic scrutiny across the region."