# Marko Vidojković: death threats, smear campaigns and exile

Category: Persecution  
Period: from Jun 2019  
Outcome: Under investigation (as of 23 Jul 2026)  

Writer Marko Vidojković, who hosts the satirical podcast “Good, Bad, Evil” with Nenad Kulačin, has been receiving death threats since 2019, most often after campaigns in pro-government media and statements by officials. In early 2023 he left Serbia on the advice of PEN International and says he is “in political exile”. According to ANEM, almost 30 prosecution cases have been opened since 2019 over threats against him and Kulačin, and most have gone nowhere; a complaint against official Aleksandar Šapić, who told him on television that he would “rip his heart out”, was dismissed.

## Threats and cases that went nowhere

Marko Vidojković is a writer, a columnist for the daily Danas and, with Nenad Kulačin, the author of the satirical podcast Dobar, loš, zao (The Good, the Bad and the Evil). Since 2019 he has received death threats, most often after campaigns in pro-government media and statements by officials.

According to ANEM, prosecutors have opened almost 30 cases since 2019 over threats against him and Kulačin, and most have gone nowhere; according to Vidojković himself, only two cases had been resolved by 2023. For threats sent via Instagram, deputy Republic Public Prosecutor Branko Stamenković said in September 2021 that the prosecution, working with Austrian authorities, had identified a female suspect living in Vienna and issued a warrant for her arrest; the outcome has not been made public.

## Campaign after an insult aimed at Vučić

In September 2021, after Vidojković swore at President Aleksandar Vučić on a podcast, TV Pink and Informer accused him of insulting Vučić's mother, which he denied. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić wrote about his „behavioural disorder“, and Vučić spoke about him on „Hit Tvit“. Six death threats followed within two days.

## Šapić's threat and lawsuits

Aleksandar Šapić, vice-president of the SNS, said on TV Pink that he would "rip out" Vidojković's "heart". The prosecutor's office dismissed the criminal complaint, and Šapić then sued Vidojković and Kulačin three times; Vidojković gave his testimony in Šapić's lawsuit over WhatsApp.

The Objektiv portal called him a paedophile, for which it was convicted at first instance and ordered to pay damages.

## Leaving Serbia

In early 2023, after a new tabloid campaign over an episode about Srebrenica, Vidojković and his wife left Serbia on the recommendation of PEN International. PEN listed him among the world's 115 most endangered writers.

Since March 2025, on experts' assessment, he has not come even as far as the border, and he hosted the show remotely. In July 2026 he said he was "in political exile".

## New waves of threats

The threats continue. In 2025 and 2026, ANEM, NUNS and UNS reported new waves to prosecutors, including "Scum, he should be killed, not rewarded" (August 2026) and threats of sexual violence bearing the date 26 October, the day after the election (October 2026). Kulačin stayed in Serbia.

## Back in the studio and the end of the partnership

After the elections of 25 October 2026, Vidojković wrote in a column for Danas that he was heading to Belgrade to record a show in a studio for the first time in almost two years.

According to Kulačin, the new management of the Nova.rs portal told him in the same days that it would not renew its work with the two of them, and according to NUNS and UNS, the owner announced the podcast would be shut down; according to Kulačin, the show is continuing independently online.

## Participants

- [Aleksandar Šapić](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/aleksandar-sapic): On TV Pink in 2021 he said he would "rip out" his "heart", then sued him three times in an effort to stop him (responsible)
- [Aleksandar Vučić](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/aleksandar-vucic): According to ECPMF, in 2025 he personally took part in verbal attacks on him and Kulačin on the "Hit Tvit" show on TV Pink (responsible)
- [Ana Brnabić](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/ana-brnabic): According to PEN, which relays his words, she was among the ruling party politicians who repeatedly smeared him in public (responsible)
- [TV Pink](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/tv-pink): It accused him of insulting Vučić's mother, and in 2025 aired verbal attacks on him on "Hit Tvit" (responsible)
- [Informer](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/informer): Accused him of insulting Vučić's mother, and in 2026, by his account, called him a traitor during a two-hour smear campaign (responsible)
- [Objektiv (news site)](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/objektiv): It called him a pedophile and his wife a victim of pedophilia; a court ruled at first instance that their dignity had been violated (responsible)
- [Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/ministarstvo-kulture): Through an assistant minister, it replied that condemnation is the “only mechanism” the ministry has (commented on the case)
- [First Basic Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/prvo-ojt-beograd): According to Nova.rs, it dismissed the complaint against Šapić; according to Kulačin, the deputy prosecutor tried to talk them into dropping it (responsible)
- [Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, Special Department for High-Tech Crime](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/vjt-beograd-vtk): It receives the threat reports ANEM files; according to ANEM, most of the threats against Vidojković remain unresolved (investigation and courts)
- [Supreme Public Prosecutor's Office](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/vrhovno-javno-tuzilastvo): A deputy prosecutor said in 2021 that the authorities had asked Austria for help; according to prosecution figures, 12 of 271 cases have been finally resolved (investigation and courts)
- [Higher Court in Belgrade](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/visi-sud-beograd): In a first-instance ruling it found a violation of dignity and awarded 260,000 dinars over an article calling him a pedophile (investigation and courts)
- [Third Basic Court in Belgrade](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/treci-osnovni-sud-beograd): It is hearing the lawsuits Šapić brought; Vidojković told a hearing that they make him afraid and that he censors himself (investigation and courts)
- [PEN International (the international PEN centre)](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/pen-international): It called for the threats to be investigated, recommended he leave the country and helped him do so, and listed him among the most endangered writers (oversight and the public)
- [Association of Independent Electronic Media (ANEM)](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/anem): It reports threats to the prosecution and says most of the nearly 30 cases since 2019 remain unresolved (oversight and the public)
- [Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS)](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/nuns): Reported death threats and condemned threats of sexual violence against Vidojković, Kulačin and Kulačin's wife (oversight and the public)
- [Journalists' Association of Serbia](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/uns): Condemned death threats on Instagram and called on the authorities to find and punish those responsible (oversight and the public)
- [OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media](https://odgovornost.rs/en/organizacije/oebs): Called for the death threat against Vidojković to be investigated immediately and for those responsible to be prosecuted (oversight and the public)
- [Branko Stamenković](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/branko-stamenkovic): Informed the Government working group that prosecutors had identified a woman suspected of making the threat from Austria and issued a warrant for her arrest (investigation and courts)

## Victims and others harmed

- [Marko Vidojković](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/marko-vidojkovic)
- [Nenad Kulačin](https://odgovornost.rs/en/osobe/nenad-kulacin)

## Sources

- [N1: Vidojković reveals „who is the instigator and backer of his and Kulačin's execution“](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/a496836-Vidojkovic-otkrio-andquotko-je-inspirator-i-podrska-njegovom-i-Kulacinovom-smaknucuandquot/>): 3 Jul 2019
- [Nova.rs: Horrific threats against DLZ: There'll be a funeral for you when Vučić gets hold of you](<https://nova.rs/vesti/drustvo/uzasne-pretnje-za-dlz-bice-vama-opelo-kad-vas-vucic-dohvati/>): 21 Dec 2020
- [Danas: Tabloid Objektiv ordered to pay 260,000 dinars for violating the dignity and right to privacy of Marko Vidojković and his wife; Vidojković has appealed](<https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/zbog-povrede-dostojanstva-i-prava-na-privatnost-marka-vidojkovica-i-njegove-supruge-tabloid-objektiv-duzan-da-plati-260-000-dinara-vidojkovic-se-zalio/>): 8 Jul 2022
- [021.rs: Objektiv portal found guilty of insulting Marko Vidojković and his wife](<https://www.021.rs/info/srbija/310794/portal-objektiv-proglasen-krivim-zbog-vredjanja-marka-vidojkovica-i-njegove-supruge>): 8 Jul 2022
- [Radio Slobodna Evropa: Media associations in Serbia condemn threats against Marko Vidojković](<https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/marko-vidojkovic-pretnje-srbija-mediji-osuda/31319048.html>): 21 Jun 2021
- [N1: Assistant minister on threats against Vidojković: We have no problem condemning attacks](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/pomocnica-ministarke-o-pretnjama-vidojkovicu-nemamo-problem-da-osudimo-napade/>): 21 Jun 2021
- [N1: NUNS: This is not the first time Marko has been threatened, we will do everything to protect our members](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/nuns-nije-prvi-put-da-prete-marku-ucinicemo-sve-da-zastitimo-svoje-clanove/>): 21 Jun 2021
- [N1: PEN International: Protect writer and journalist Marko Vidojković](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/medjunarodni-pen-centar-zastititi-pisca-i-novinara-marka-vidojkovica/>): 6 Mar 2023
- [Danas: Vidojković and Kulačin file criminal complaint against Šapić over threats](<https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/zbog-pretnji-vidojkovic-i-kulacin-podneli-krivicnu-prijavu-protiv-sapica/>): 26 Jul 2021
- [Nova.rs: Šapić threatened to rip out Kulačin's and Vidojković's hearts: prosecutors dismissed the complaint](<https://nova.rs/vesti/hronika/sapic-pretio-vidojkovicu-cupanjem-srca-tuzilastvo-odbacilo-prijavu/>): 30 Sep 2021
- [N1: Šapić sues Kulačin and Vidojković again](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/sapic-ponovo-tuzio-kulacina-i-vidojkovica/>): 13 Feb 2022
- [N1: Vidojković: I am still afraid of Šapić, he is suing to silence me](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/vidojkovic-i-dalje-se-bojim-sapica-tuzi-da-bi-me-ucutkao/>): 17 May 2024
- [N1: Kulačin and Vidojković give statements in Šapić's lawsuit against them for damage to his reputation](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/kulacin-i-vidojkovic-dali-iskaze-sapic-ih-tuzio-zbog-povrede-ugleda/>): 1 Apr 2026
- [ANEM (Asocijacija nezavisnih elektronskih medija): Hearing held in Aleksandar Šapić's lawsuit against Nenad Kulačin and Marko Vidojković](<https://anem.org.rs/sr/strane/odrzano-rociste-po-tuzbi-aleksandra-sapica-protiv-nenada-kulacina-i-marka-vidojkovica>): 1 Apr 2026
- [Danas: Brnabić on DLZ: What is benign about brutal insults aimed at a mother](<https://www.danas.rs/drustvo/brnabic-povodom-dlz-sta-je-benigno-u-brutalnim-uvredama-upucenim-jednoj-majci/>): 24 Sep 2021
- [Nova.rs: Vučić answers whether he will sue Marko Vidojković](<https://nova.rs/vesti/politika/vucic-odgovorio-da-li-ce-tuziti-marka-vidojkovica/>): 27 Sep 2021
- [N1: Vidojković and Kulačin receive death threats](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/vidojkovic-i-kulacin-dobili-pretnje-smrcu/>): 30 Sep 2021
- [021.rs: Vidojković on the threats he received after swearing at Vučić: We live in a concentration camp](<https://www.021.rs/info/srbija/286193/vidojkovic-o-pretnjama-koje-je-dobio-nakon-psovanja-vucica-zivimo-u-koncentracionom-logoru>): 1 Oct 2021
- [021.rs: UNS: Police must find who is sending death threats to Nenad Kulačin and Marko Vidojković](<https://www.021.rs/info/srbija/286257/uns-policija-da-pronadje-ko-preti-smrcu-nenadu-ulacinu-i-marku-vidojkovicu>): 1 Oct 2021
- [Javni servis: Working Group for the Safety and Protection of Journalists holds meeting](<https://javniservis.net/sekcije/drustvo/odrzan-sastanak-radne-grupe-za-bezbednost-i-zastitu-novinara/>): 30 Sep 2021
- [N1: Why Marko Vidojković was urgently relocated from Serbia](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/zasto-je-marko-vidojkovic-hitno-izmesten-iz-srbije/>): 6 Mar 2023
- [Cenzolovka: Marko Vidojković on PEN's list of the world's most endangered writers](<https://www.cenzolovka.rs/pritisci-i-napadi/marko-vidojkovic-na-listi-pen-a-medju-najugrozenijim-piscima-sveta/>): 22 Mar 2023
- [021.rs: Marko Vidojković on PEN's list of the world's most endangered writers](<https://www.021.rs/info/srbija/335428/marko-vidojkovic-na-pen-ovoj-list-najugrozenijih-pisaca-sveta>): 22 Mar 2023
- [Vreme: The Vidojković/Kulačin case: Does the Ministry of Information know about them](<https://vreme.com/vesti/slucaj-vidojkovic-kulacin-da-li-ministarstvo-informisanja-zna-za-njih/>): 9 Mar 2023
- [N1: Vidojković from a secret location: The state is directly responsible for the situation I am in](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/vidojkovic-sa-tajne-lokacije-za-situaciju-u-kojoj-sam-direktno-odgovorna-drzava/>): 6 Mar 2023
- [N1: Veran Matić will also discuss the Vidojković case with the prime minister](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/veran-matic-ce-o-slucaju-vidojkovica-razgovarati-i-sa-premijerkom/>): 6 Mar 2023
- [Radio Slobodna Evropa: A growing number of journalists and activists are fleeing Serbia because of threats and pressure](<https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/srbija-sloboda-govora-pritisci/33809951.html>): 23 Jul 2026
- [N1: “A perfectly organised network of terror against critics of the regime in Serbia”: Vidojković to PEN](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/savrseno-organizovana-mreza-terora-nad-kriticarima-rezima-u-srbiji-vidojkovic-za-pen-centar/>): 26 Mar 2024
- [Vreme: Marko Vidojković: Whoever speaks the truth gets crushed](<https://vreme.com/drustvo/marko-vidojkovic-ko-izgovori-istinu-njega-smozde/>): 9 Jul 2024
- [N1: Marko Vidojković: Whoever speaks the truth gets crushed](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/marko-vidojkovic-ko-izgovori-istinu-njega-smozde/>): 9 Jul 2024
- [N1: ECPMF: Journalists Marko Vidojković and Nenad Kulačin targeted by false accusations from pro-regime tabloids](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/ecpmf-novinari-marko-vidojkovic-i-nenad-kulacin-na-meti-laznih-optuzbi-prorezimskih-tabloida/>): 10 Mar 2025
- [N1: ANEM: New brutal threat sent to Marko Vidojković](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/anem-upucena-nova-brutalna-pretnja-marku-vidojkovicu/>): 17 Oct 2025
- [N1: ANEM: Identifikovati i procesuirati osobu koja je pretila Vidojkoviću i Kulačinu](<https://n1info.rs/english/news/anem-identify-and-prosecute-individual-who-threatened-vidojkovic-and-kulacin/>): 17 Dec 2025
- [N1: ANEM: Authorities must react urgently to a new wave of threats against Savatović, Vidojković and Kulačin](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/anem-nadlezni-reaguju-talas-pretnji-savatovicu-vidojkovicu-i-kulacinu/>): 19 Dec 2025
- [N1: UNS: Punish those responsible for the threats against Vidojković and Kulačin](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/uns-kazniti-odgovorne-za-pretnje-vidojkovicu-i-kulacinu/>): 20 Feb 2026
- [N1: SafeJournalists: Urgently identify and prosecute the person who sent death threats to Marko Vidojković](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/safejournalists-hitno-identifikovati-i-procesuirati-osobu-koja-je-pretila-smrcu-marku-vidojkovicu/>): 2 Jul 2026
- [N1: ANEM: Marko Vidojković receives new death threats](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/anem-marko-vidojkovic-dobio-nove-pretnje-smrcu/>): 2 Jul 2026
- [N1: Third threat against Marko Vidojković in a week: “Congratulations” as a comment on news that he was shortlisted for the Václav Havel Center award](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/treca-pretnja-marku-vidojkovicu-u-nedelju-dana-cestitka-kao-komentar-na-vest-da-je-dobio-nagradu/>): 3 Aug 2026
- [N1: ANEM: New death threats against Marko Vidojković and Nenad Kulačin reported](<https://n1info.rs/pretnje-smrcu-marku-vidojkovicu-i-nenadu-kulacinu/>): 16 Aug 2026
- [Danas: NUNS condemned threats against Kulačin and Vidojković](<https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/nuns-osuda-pretnje-nenad-kulacin-marko-vidojkovic/>): 21 Oct 2026
- [Danas: New threats against Vidojković and Kulačin reported to the High-Tech Crime Prosecutor's Office](<https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/tuzilastvu-prijavljene-pretnje-vidojkovicu/>): 3 Jul 2026
- [N1: ANEM: Explicit rape threats sent to the hosts of the show Dobar, loš, zao](<https://n1info.rs/vesti/anem-eksplicitne-pretnje-silovanjem-upucene-autorima-emisije-dobar-los-zao/>): 21 Oct 2026
- [NUNS (Nezavisno udruženje novinara Srbije): NUNS and UNS call on Alpac Capital to reconsider its decisions to shut down the newspaper "Nova" and two podcasts, and to end cooperation with freelance contributors to Nova.rs, the Nova newspaper and Radar](<https://nuns.rs/nuns-i-uns-alpak-kapital-da-preispita-odluke-o-gasenju-novina-nova-dva-podkasta-i-prekidu-saradnje-sa-honorarnim-saradnicima-nove-rs-novina-nova-i-radara/>): 27 Oct 2026
- [Danas: Nenad Kulačin's diary: I went out on the balcony and shouted „Victory, victory“](<https://www.danas.rs/dijalog/licni-stavovi/dnevnik-nenad-kulacin-pobeda/>): 31 Oct 2026
- [Nova.rs: Avžner files criminal complaint against Lučić, Vargas David, Sadler and Miler: plan to weaken independent media reported to the Organised Crime Prosecutor's Office](<https://nova.rs/vesti/drustvo/avzner-podneo-krivicnu-prijavu-protiv-lucica-vargasa-davida-sadlera-i-milera-jtok-u-prijavljen-plan-za-slabljenje-nezavisnih-medija/>): 30 Oct 2026
- [Danas: My Twenty-Fifth of October](<https://www.danas.rs/kolumna/marko-vidojkovic/moj-dvadeset-peti-oktobar/>): 27 Oct 2026

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Source: Odgovornost, https://odgovornost.rs/en/afere/marko-vidojkovic-egzil  
As of: 5 Nov 2026  
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)