WARNING TO SERBS ABOUT DOUBLE PUNISHMENT OVER SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

BELGRADE, SEPTEMBER 25 /SRNA/ - The Veritas Documentation and Information Centre today warned Serbs from Croatia who do not have Croatian documents to be aware of the risk of being punished twice over social media posts when crossing the border into Croatia.

Veritas warned that Croatian border and internal police have special units that closely monitor and retrospectively review the profiles of citizens of Serbian nationality, and that, in the event of an arrest, completely separate judicial and administrative proceedings are initiated. It noted that Croatian police may allow a person to pass through a border crossing without warning and then carry out a surprise arrest operation inside the country, avoiding timely notification of Serbia's diplomatic and consular missions. "Even temporary Facebook stories that are visible online for only 24 hours, as well as videos featuring traditional songs recorded months or years ago, are classified under the offence of `disturbing public order and peace`, which also covers the `glorification of war criminals`," Veritas said. According to the statement, after a Misdemeanor Court in Croatia issues a ruling, which may be relatively lenient, such as a fine or a suspended prison sentence, the proceedings against Serbian citizens are not necessarily over. Croatian police stations automatically initiate a parallel administrative procedure under the Aliens Act, and the Ministry of Interior imposes a deportation measure and an entry ban covering the European Economic Area, which also includes Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, most often for a period of three months to one year. The measure is automatically entered into the Schengen Information System, thereby blocking citizens from entering the entire EU. Veritas pointed out that the police deportation and Schengen Information System ban cannot be applied to people who, in addition to Serbian or another citizenship, also hold Croatian citizenship. Dual nationals may be held accountable before a misdemeanor court and fined over a disputed post or song, but the police have no authority over them under the Aliens Act. "Veritas once again appeals to all compatriots who do not have Croatian documents and intend to travel to Croatia not to take border crossings lightly, but to carefully review and remove all content from their online profiles that could be misused," the statement said.