September 18, 2014
by VOA News

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has condemned death threats and attacks against journalists in Kosovo and Russia.

The OSCE statement follows a series of death threats against journalist Artan Haraqija, who has been reporting on radical Muslim groups in Kosovo.  The latest threat came after Haraqija appeared on a TV show.

Also Thursday, the OSCE condemned the growing violence against journalists in Russia, following an attack on a BBC television crew in the southern part of the country.

According to reports, on September 16 two members of the crew were confronted by at least three individuals in Astrakhan, where they were reporting on the killing of a Russian serviceman.

While the BBC crew was being questioned at the local police station, someone broke into their car and erased video recordings and computer notes from their equipment.

The OSCE often raises the issue of press freedom, and has repeatedly called for the protection of journalists.