Vienna, 14/05/2017
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) was dismayed to learn that investigative journalist Arbana Xharra suffered a brutal physical attack on Saturday, 13 May.
Xharra recently left her position as editor-in-chief of daily Zeri in order to join the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and will potentially run in parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. Current President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci set up early elections for 11 June, after the government was dismissed in a non-confidence motion on 10 May.
The former journalist was a long time critic of this and other political parties in Kosovo, accusing officials of corruption and nepotism. Xharra was attacked beaten by unknown assaulters in a park near her apartment and received medical care for her injuries.