August 5, 2014

05/08/2014: SERBIA – SEEMO CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION IN THE ATTACK CASE ON AN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Vienna, 05/08/2014

The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), once again is asking for an professional investigation by the authorities over the physical attack on Davor Pasalic, an editor of the Serbian news agency Fonet.

A month earlier Pasalic was attacked and brutally beaten near his home in Belgrade by three young men, who tried first to extort money from him, but then insulted him on the basis of his nationality. It was strange that the group had the information that he is not a Serb, as most people in Belgrade did not know this.

After the beating, Pasalic tried to walk to his home a few hundred meters away, but before entering his building, but was attacked again.

He was later diagnosed with serious head injuries, bruises and cuts on his body, as well as two broken teeth. Pasalic stated that he is unaware of any reasons why such an attack would happen, nor had received any threats prior to the beating that happened on 3 July 2014.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic is calling on Serbian police authorities to investigate this case and find the attackers immediately. An immediate reaction is necessary, so that other possible attacks on media freedom can be prevented.“