In Memoriam: Risto Djogo, Editor in Chief of the Bosnian Serb TV

The life and career of Risto Djogo, editor in chief of the Bosnian Serb TV, ended in Zvornik lake last Saturday.

On Saturday September 10, Djogo and journalist Ilija Guzina attended a benefit concert by Ceca Velikovic (Arkan's lover was guarded closely by his men) in Zvornik. Later, the performers and guests, including Djogo, went to hotel Vidikovac (now Sveti Stefan), on a cliff above the lake. Witnesses said, Risto Djogo disappeared after 10 minutes. His car was left behind on the parking lot with his jacket and briefcase inside.

There are rumors that his death was at someone's wish. The motive is said to be his witty TV comments. The latest was at the end of the daily news when he appeared with a card that had Tito's picture on one side and Milosevic's on the other.

"A Serb will get him for money," an anonymous Zvornik resident said. The first unofficial but reliable information from investigators differ. Djogo's body was found in the lake just at the foot of the cliff. The autopsy showed that there were no signs of violence and that he died of drowning. His buttons were all in place, even his tie pin

The unofficial autopsy confirmed claims that Djogo had gone out onto the hotel terrace drunk and that he probably toppled over the bannister. The bannister was too low for his height.

Last Interview Telegraf Weekly published an interview with Risto Djogo on August 24. Journalists Miroslav Mikuljanc and Branko Cecen concluded that he was the most unpopular figure among Sarajevo's Muslims and Djogo replied: "A couple of days ago I heard that I'd hanged myself and I showed that scene on TV, then they told me that I'd better stay on that tree with the noose around my neck. I often worry when they don't mention me for two or three days and I think something's wrong with me. I always have to do something foolish for them to remember.

"In the former B-H, while there was one parliament and the Muslims and Croats always outvoted the Serbs and the Serbs had ideas about preserving Yugoslavia, Sloba instructed Radovan because Radovan was at the start of his political career, and he told him "take your parliament out" and "hold a referendum"... Now when those same methods are being used Daddy says the referendum is illegal," Djogo said. Who Daddy is is clear from the title to the interview: "If he keeps this up, Daddy Sloba Could Hand Us Over to the Hague and He'd Get the Nobel Peace Prize".