By Riffat Kausar,
Scandinavian News Agency
The Massimo Moratti expulsion order issued by Serbian authorities has drawn a public appeal from SNN News Finland, whose Managing Director Hammad Kahlun today urged Belgrade to immediately rescind the decision.
Moratti is affiliated with the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa, two organizations that monitor press freedom in the Western Balkans.
According to SNN News Finland, Moratti’s temporary residence request in Serbia was rejected on what officials described only as “security risk” grounds.
The organization said no further explanation was provided by Serbian authorities. SNN News Finland reports that this rejection has now triggered an order for Moratti to leave the country.
Massimo Moratti’s Background in the Western Balkans
Moratti has spent more than two decades working on human rights and media freedom issues across the Western Balkans, according to SNN News Finland’s statement. His affiliations with the MFRR and Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa place him among a network of organizations that track threats to journalists and civil society groups in the region.
The Media Freedom Rapid Response is a mechanism that documents and responds to press freedom violations across Europe. Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa is an independent outlet focused on reporting and analysis from the Balkans and Caucasus.
SNN News Finland’s Statement on the Expulsion Order
Kahlun said he believes the expulsion is directly linked to Moratti’s professional work, and framed it as part of a broader pattern of administrative pressure on journalists, civil society figures, and human rights defenders in Serbia.
This characterization reflects the view of SNN News Finland and Kahlun specifically. Serbian authorities have not issued a public statement responding to the expulsion order or to Kahlun’s remarks, and their reasoning beyond the cited “security risk” grounds remains undisclosed as of this report.
Key Facts
- Massimo Moratti faces expulsion from Serbia after his temporary residence request was denied
- Serbian authorities cited “security risk” grounds without further explanation, per SNN News Finland
- Moratti is affiliated with the Media Freedom Rapid Response and Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa
- SNN News Finland’s Managing Director Hammad Kahlun has called for the order to be rescinded
- Serbian authorities have not publicly responded to the allegations
- SNN Finland Urges Serbia
FAQs:
Who is Massimo Moratti?
He is a rights and media freedom advocate who has worked in the Western Balkans for over 20 years, affiliated with the MFRR and Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa.
Why is Serbia expelling him?
According to SNN News Finland, his residence request was denied on unspecified “security risk” grounds, with no further detail given by authorities.
What is the Media Freedom Rapid Response?
It is an organization that monitors and responds to press freedom violations across Europe.
Has Serbia responded to the criticism?
No public statement from Serbian authorities addressing the expulsion order or SNN News Finland’s remarks had been issued as of this report.
What is SNN News Finland asking for?
The outlet’s Managing Director, Hammad Kahlun, is calling on Serbian authorities to immediately rescind the expulsion order.
Broader Context for Press Freedom in Serbia
Press freedom organizations have periodically raised concerns about conditions for journalists and civil society figures operating in Serbia. SNN News Finland’s statement places the Moratti case within that wider context, though the outlet did not cite specific additional incidents in its release.
SNN News Finland said it stands in solidarity with press freedom organizations internationally in supporting Moratti. Kahlun called on the Serbian government to allow Moratti to remain with his family and continue his work in the country.
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