We are extremely concerned at the arrest and violent treatment of our regional editor Nidžara Ahmetašević by police in Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier today. Nidžara was detained for more than 5 hours without any details provided. She has now been released.

Nidžara was arrested for filming police, which is not a public order offence.

In addition, we are appalled at the nature of the arrest. According to a video recorded by Nidžara herself, two police officers repeatedly ignored her requests to wear their masks properly — thereby potentially putting both Nidžara and themselves at risk — before violently arresting her. One officer also insulted her by calling her ‘budalla’ (fool).

This is not the first time that Nidžara, a vocal activist for the rights of migrants and refugees, has been detained. Her activism has seen her repeatedly targeted at the hands of Bosnian authorities.

We are currently gathering more information about Nidžara’s welfare, treatment and circumstances surrounding her arrest and will provide an update when we know more.K

Image: Screenshot from Nidžara Ahmetašević’s video of her arrest.