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Elita Contestant Filmed Choking Co-Star as Reports Diverge on What Happened Next

Civil groups in Serbia are urging a criminal investigation.

Overview

  • Live footage showed Asmin Durdžić pinning Maja Marinković on a bed and gripping her neck before contestants and security pulled him off, with the viral clip capturing his misogynistic insults.
  • Coverage differs on consequences, with some outlets citing an immediate expulsion and fines while others report brief police detention, release within hours, and his return to the show without a clear producer statement.
  • LA NACION reports that he later reappeared on air and apologized during a joint segment, and Marinković spoke about jealousy and said she did not know if she could forgive him.
  • Civic groups and parts of the press are pressing authorities to investigate the assault under Serbian law, which treats strangulation and severe attacks as serious crimes.
  • The case has revived scrutiny of Elita, a Big Brother–style successor to the scandal-hit Zadruga canceled in 2023, with critics questioning how the format handles safety and conflict.