OSCE strongly condemns attack on public broadcaster in Kosovo

(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, condemned last night’s attack on Radio Television Kosovo (RTK).

“I am appalled by the attack on RTK at the time when there were still people working inside the building. This appears to be an act of intimidation and I condemn it in the strongest terms. It’s an attack on an important public institution and on freedom of expression,” said Ambassador Schlumberger.

“I call on law enforcement bodies to investigate this case as soon as possible and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

Also the Spokesperson of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Senad Sabovic told RTK2 that we strongly condemn the attack. “Public broadcaster is the most significant institution in every society and any violence against such institutions is unacceptable,” Sabovic emphasized.

Also the EU Office in Kosovo condemned attack on the RTK.

“The RTK is an important national institution established by and for the people of Kosovo. An attack against it is a threat to the freedom of expression and to the interests of the people of Kosovo.  The EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative expresses concern over this already second armed attack on a public institution over the last few weeks”, reads the condemnation of the EU Office in Kosovo.

The attack against RTK has been condemned by the U.S Embassy to Kosovo and the British Embassy.

Grenade thrown at Kosovo public broadcaster’s office

(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) was attacked around 10pm on Monday night. Somebody threw a hand-grenade in the courtyard of Kosovo Public Broadcaster, which exploded but fortunately, no one was injured in the explosion and it did not cause serious material damages.  The hand grenade was thrown into the yard of the RTK premises, close to its main transmission antenna and power generators, at a time when besides the night-shift staff for the regular broadcast there were also several journalists, editors and cameraman.

When the hand-grenade was thrown into the yard of RTK premises, Emon Cervadiku, an RTK employee together with his colleagues were inside RTK building. He says that the explosion was so powerful that the entire building trembled.  Other employees were in the building at the time of the explosion but fortunately, no one was injured.

The attack against RTK has been strongly condemned by its Director General, Mentor Shala.

“Police is continuing the investigation as from Monday. Besides the fact that the explosive device is a hand grenade, Police has not given any other version,” said Shala. He requested from justice institutions to quickly identify the perpetrators and bring to justice.

“This attack is the most serious attack so far against freedom of the media and freedom of expression, which are the main foundation of democracy.  I call upon political entities, in particular to certain political entities, who harshened their hate speech against the public broadcaster, to give up this language,” Shala said.

On the other hand, Kosovo Police categorized the attack against RTK as ‘causing of general danger’.  Police stated that from the preliminary investigations they have not yet identified any potential suspect.

A group called ‘Rugovasit’ claims responsibility for attack on RTK

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

A group called “Rugovasit” claimed the responsibility for Monday’s attack on the premises of the public broadcaster (RTK). The same group also claimed the last attack against the Assembly of Kosovo.

Through an email sent to the media, this Group says that they attacked RTK because of the following reasons:

“1. RTK did not publish our communique that we attacked Murat Meha’s house several days ago.

2. The RTK, on a daily basis, broadcasts news only in favor of the demarcation and the government.

3. The RTK has sided with the government that is selling our mountains”.

This group threatens to with more violent actions if the government does not stop the demarcation.

On the other hand, Rugova residents told RTK that the genuine Rugova residents would never carry out such, as they would always use democratic ways to oppose to certain issues.

Attack against RTK, the most serious attack against freedom of the media in Kosovo

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Management of the Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) reacted following Monday’s attack against RTK.  Through a press statement, RTK strongly condemned the attack and considers it as the the most serious attack so far against the media freedom in Kosovo.

“Last night’s attack is the most serious attack so far against the media freedom and freedom of expression in Kosovo, aiming to intimidate journalists and RTK editors. RTK management calls upon political entities, in particular Vetëvendosje Movement, to stop hate speech, threats, insults and the blackmails against the public broadcaster. The language used against the public broadcaster demonstrates that in our society there are still groups and political forces, which aim to realize their goals by violent means and to suppress freedom of expression and media freedom” reads RTK’s reaction.

RTK management urged justice institutions to find as soon as possible the perpetrators of this act and bring them to justice.

RTK Management also requested from Kosovo institutions to resolve RTK’s property issues as soon as possible and provide a safe working environment for RTK employees.

Also the Board of Radio Television of Kosovo condemned the attack, considering it as a direct attack against the work of RTK, the democratic values and the freedom of expression.

Vetëvendosje Movement through a press release commented on the attack on the premises of the public broadcaster RTK on Monday night. “With the attempt to connect Vetëvendosje with last night’s attack on RTK, the management of this medium only confirmed that the RTK has become classic government propaganda. Last night’s attack against RTK cannot be justified in any way, not because the RTK symbolize free speech, but because we do not think that such bomb attacks help any cause in Kosovo,” reads the reaction of Vetëvendosje.

Reporters Without Borders, the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, Association of Serbian Journalists and Association of Journalists of Kosovo-Metohija (DNKiM), the Association of Independent Electronic Media of Kosovo, Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic and the Serbian Government Office for Kosovocondemned the attack, too.

EBU: Threats against media and journalists are unacceptable in a democratic society

(RTK1)

European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has strongly condemned the grenade attack against Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) last night.

“Physical attacks and threats against media and journalists are unacceptable in a democratic society. RTK is an independent public institution serving the whole of society and should be left to do its important work free from fear and intimidation,” said EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre.

The EBU calls on all relevant authorities to duly and timely investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.

On the other hand, Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi through a press statement condemned the attack on the premises of the public broadcaster RTK on Monday night. According to Thaçi, the criminal attack against RTK is an attack against the free thinking, speech and media.  He urged competent authorities to shed light on the case.

Condemning the attack on RTK, Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli said: “We are a democratic country and can never allow that violence and intimidation methods affect the freedom of the media, public and political debate agenda.”

Kosovo Government strongly condemned the attack, considering it as an attack against freedom of the media in Kosovo.

Nisma për Kosovë, Vetëvendosje Movement, Independent Trade Union of RTK, The Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) and Kosovo Media Institute also condemned the incident.

O’Connell: Kosovo has bigger problems than demarcation

(KTV)

British Ambassador Ruari O’Connell to Kosovo said, in an interview for KTV, that Kosovo has other problems bigger than demarcation, noting that demarcation is not the real issue. He stressed that the Assembly of Kosovo should decide about the demarcation and reiterated that the use of violence is unacceptable.

Among other topics, Ambassador O’Connell spoke also about wiretapping scandal which, according to him, is just a reminder and evidence of what has happened after the conflict in Kosovo.

O’Connell said that employment based on family and political ties is damaging Kosovo. According to him, corruption cannot be fought with round tables, but, as he said, with the commitment of the political class in Kosovo.

Three persons have been killed in Gjakovë/Djakovica shooting

(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Three persons have been killed in Gjakovë/Djakovica shooting. The incident happened on the afternoon hours of Tuesday, while the motive of the killings remains unknown, RTK1 reported.

Kosovo Police in Gjakovë/Djakovica confirmed the killings and said police is searching for the suspected killers.

Two of the victims Valon and Ilir Islamaj (35 and 28 years old) are brothers while the third victim is Zef Krasniqi from village Meqë of Gjakovë/Djakovica municipality.