The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) has welcomed the indictment filed by the Special Prosecution against Kosovo Assembly MP Slavko Simić of the Serb List, and another individual with the initials U.V. The indictment concerns attacks on journalists that occurred on June 16, 2023, in Leposaviq.
“The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) was informed today about the indictment filed against two individuals for attacks on journalists in 2023, in the north of Kosovo,” stated AGK.
According to the announcement, the indictment was filed against MP Slavko Simić and U.V. for the criminal offense of “Participation in a crowd committing a criminal offense and hooliganism.” The attack took place on June 16, 2023, in Leposaviq. The Prosecution alleges that Simić “knowingly participated in a crowd of more than eight people, so that at the moment Minister E.K. exited the municipal building in Leposaviq, masked civilians began throwing shock bombs towards the official vehicle. After the official vehicle passed, the defendant (Simić) ordered the crowd to attack the media, whereupon the attack continued against journalists and media outlets of the Republic of Kosovo, initially with shock bombs, then hitting them with fists, kicks, and hard objects such as concrete blocks, bricks, paint, and other items, as a result of which two journalists sustained serious bodily injuries.”
AGK to Closely Monitor Legal Proceedings
AGK emphasized that it will closely follow the trial process.
“AGK is committed to ensuring that all attacks against journalists in May and June 2023 receive deserved punishments from the justice system,” the reaction further stated.
According to AGK, at least 9 journalists and cameramen sustained bodily injuries, with RTK cameraman Bardh Bekteshi being the most severely injured, during the attack by a masked crowd on June 16, 2023, in Leposaviq.
