Vienna, 08/10/2012
The Vienna-based South East Europe Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), condemns verbal and physical attacks against a journalist in Montenegro. These latest attacks were apparently related to the electoral campaign. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on 14 October 2012.
On 4 October, 2102, Montenegro’s Prime Minister Igor Luksic was speaking at a forum in Pljevlja, northern Montenegro, to a group of followers of the ruling party. Luksic said that there were no independent media in Montenegro, accusing two dailies, Vijesti and Dan, of allying with the opposition. Right after the forum, the Vijesti correspondent from Pljevlja, Goran Malidzan, was verbally attacked and then allegedly punched in the back by a local politician. Former policeman intervened and allegedly told Malidzan: “I shall drink your blood one day.”
Vijesti reporters, as SEEMO has been reporting, have been attacked on numerous occasions. For example, in March 2012, investigative reporter Olivera Lakic was hit several times in the head when entering her apartment. She needed hospitalisation.
“I strongly condemn attacks against journalists. They happen too often in Montenegro. I call on all politicians to stop attacks against media and I urge the police to bring all the perpetrators to justice,” said SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic.