REPORT ON THE SECOND YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE SLAPP BACK FUND

23 Dec REPORT ON THE SECOND YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE SLAPP BACK FUND

The second year of the SLAPP BACK Fund was marked by continuous support for many citizens of Serbia affected by SLAPP lawsuits as well as cases with SLAPP characteristics through crowdfunding for their judicial, legal, and other legal expenses during trials. The year also saw the establishment of the Fund through strategic planning, alongside continued work within the National Group Against SLAPPs.

With the support and solidarity of citizens from Serbia, the former Yugoslavia, Europe, and the rest of the world, this year, 384.050 dinars were raised (out of a total of 1.131.959 dinars collected since the Fund’s establishment) for 6 out of the 10 cases the Fund has supported since its inception. Over 535 individuals supported the Fund, and all funds were exclusively utilized for the beneficiaries and their immediate needs.

Throughout the year, the Fund assisted journalists in defending themselves against lawsuits related to freedom of speech and reporting, including: Nenad Paunović, an editor at TV Pirot; Verica Marinčić, a journalist at IN Media from Inđija; and Ivana Predić, a journalist at Panpress in Pančevo.

The Fund also aided Russian citizens residing in Serbia, Dmitry Lagovsky and Anton Bobrišev, who faced the threat of extradition to Russia, as well as young activist Nora Sejdijaj, who was arrested during a protest against the demolition of the Old Sava Bridge.

After almost two years of active work, developing a visual identity, and the efforts of many individuals, initial strategic planning was conducted in early December 2025, attended by a working group that includes representatives from the KROKODIL Association, attorney Miloš Janković, literary critic Nađa Bobičić, and peace activist Aida Ćorović, goals, mission, and vision of the Fund were defined. The Fund received its official domain, www.slappbackfund.com, and the creation of an official website and social media pages was initiated.

During 2025, the KROKODIL Association, as the founder of the SLAPP BACK Fund, participated in the regular work of the National Working Group Against SLAPP and in its strategic planning, consequently aiding in the creation of a foundational communication document that will serve for a detailed communication strategy of the National Working Group Against SLAPP.

About the Establishment of the SLAPP BACK Fund

Peace activist Aida Ćorović was sentenced in October 2023 to a fine of 100.000 dinars or a 100-day prison sentence starting from March 22, 2024. After refusing to pay the threatened fine, Aida was summoned to serve her prison sentence. At the initiative of the Feminist Anti-Fascist Network (FAMA) and the KROKODIL Association, a campaign titled “For Aida – on the front line” was organized, which quickly attracted a significant number of donations, reaching a total of 713.209 dinars from 185 citizens from Serbia, the region, Europe, and the world. Out of the collected amount, 100.000 dinars were donated to cover Aida Ćorović’s fine.

Subsequently, donors were given the opportunity to express whether they agreed to redirect the remaining funds to a separate bank account to form a special fund to assist other citizens who may face lawsuits in the future. This initiative was named the SLAPP BACK Fund.

In 2026, the SLAPP BACK Fund will continue to combat repression by providing support to citizens, activists, whistleblowers, and independent journalists, as well as anyone else in need of protection and defense of the basic human rights and liberties.

SLAPP, or Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, represents a type of lawsuit or merely a repressive procedure used by the powerful to intimidate citizens. These lawsuits are generally baseless and serve to prevent journalists, activists, non-governmental organizations, and ultimately citizens themselves from engaging in social activism, criticizing the system, and fighting for their rights. The initiators of these lawsuits aim to prolong the legal process as much as possible and to bring the defendant into a critical financial and psychological situation.