OSCE Mission to Serbia says attack on journalist must be investigated

BELGRADE, 26 July 2010 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Dimitrios Kypreos, said today a violent attack on the columnist of Vreme weekly Teofil Pancic that occurred on 24 July must be duly investigated.

"This undignified attack on the journalist must be duly investigated, and its perpetrators prosecuted. In April this year, I already spoke in support of another prominent investigative TV journalist, Brankica Stankovic. Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of a modern society, and targeted or indiscriminate violence or threats against those who cover news and voice their opinion constitute a cowardly attack against Serbian society itself. OSCE commitments guarantee citizens a right to free and open information, and this right should be safeguarded by the state," Kypreos stated.

"I welcome the immediate reaction of President Boris Tadic and Ministers Dacic and Bradic to this attack. We will expect concrete results of the police investigation into this and other attacks in the nearest future", he said.