An incident in which an Albanian tried to grab away recording equipment from Serbian journalists occurred on Sunday in Mitrovica North, during the visit of Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Marko Djuric, Serbian media reported.

Marko Djuric strongly condemned the attack against Radio Belgrade and KoSSev journalists, saying it indicates that political climate towards Serbs and free and unbiased reporting is bad, adding some people feel free to endanger even the physical integrity of journalists.

According to RTS, following Djuric’s address to the media in Bosniac Mahala, in Mitrovica North, a group of Albanians tried to approach the place where Djuric and the delegation were standing, however police reacted and prevented the incident.

One young man, left the group and approached the group of Serbian journalists who wanted to record the event, including Radio Belgrade and KoSSev journalists and pushed away KoSSev reporter.

Radio Belgrade condemned the incident in the strongest terms, and requested from responsible institutions to react and enable to media representatives safe and unimpeded working conditions.

Meanwhile, outgoing Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Communities and Returns also condemned the incident, saying the identity of the perpetrators is known, and they must be hold responsible.

Association of Journalists of Serbia and Society of Journalists of Kosovo and Metohija joined the condemnations and requested applicable legal measures to be taken against perpetrators of physical and verbal assault against journalists in Mitrovica North.