United Group founder challenges ANN sale in London court
May 29, 2026 11.43 Europe/London By Julian Clover


The proposed sale of Adria News Network has immediately become the subject of a legal challenge from United Group founder Dragan Šolak and former chief executive Victoriya Boklag.

In proceedings filed in London’s Commercial Court, companies controlled by Šolak and Boklag are seeking to block the disposal of United Group’s media assets, arguing the sale breaches shareholder agreements and fundamentally changes the nature of the business.

The claim argues that United Media, which encompasses around 120 media assets, is central to United Group’s integrated telecoms-and-media strategy and that its disposal would transform the company into a predominantly telecommunications business.

Particular concern is focused on the sale of ANN, which includes N1, Nova S, Danas, Radar and other media outlets that critics regard as among the last major editorially independent news organisations in Serbia.

ANN was established earlier this year to bring together United Group’s news operations across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia under a single independent structure.

The network reaches more than 16 million people across the region and employs over 1,000 journalists and media professionals.

Alpac Capital said the acquisition would provide ANN with a long-term platform for growth while preserving its editorial independence. The investment firm already controls pan-European news network Euronews and said it remains committed to “neutral, fact-based journalism”.

Šolak said he was “deeply concerned” by reports that BC Partners intended to sell the media assets to Alpac Capital and claimed he had neither been informed of nor consented to the transaction.

The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the disposal constitutes a material change in United Group’s business and an injunction preventing any sale from proceeding without the consent of minority shareholders.

The dispute threatens to overshadow what United Group had presented as a strategic divestment and could delay completion of the transaction while the English courts consider the challenge.