On 21 March 2024, in an incident in North Macedonia, journalist Furkan Saliu, who is working for PortaliX (https://portalix.mk/), was attacked while reporting in the city of Kichevo (Kičevo /Кичево / Kërçovë). The assailant, a woman, initiated the altercation, and took two microphones from the journalist. The journalist wanted a statement from the woman.
Following the attack, Saliu gave a statement at the police station and got back his microphones. Additionally, the prosecutor from Kichevo was promptly notified of the incident. You can see the video of the attack here: https://fb.watch/r1rowsDQt3/
In a subsequent turn of events, two woman who attacked Saliu, was apprehended by the authorities after reportedly engaging in a second physical altercation, this time targeting a police officer at the station.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns the attack on journalist Furkan Saliu. Violence against journalists cannot be tolerated in any society. Journalists must be able to carry out their professional duties without fear of intimidation or physical harm. SEEMO urges the authorities in North Macedonia to swiftly investigate this incident, hold the perpetrator accountable, and take decisive action to ensure the safety and security of journalists in the country.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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