SPLIT, 18.10.2017. – Two policemen, members of the Police Headquarter for Split and Dalmatia Special Forces, who on Tuesday physically attacked Drago Miljuš, Indeks.hr journalist, violated duty code and will be suspended and taken under disciplinary measures. That was said in Ministry of the Interior answer to the Regional Platform for advocating media freedom and safety of journalists.
The answer further said that „expert team of the Ministry of Interior found out that two policemen, members of the Police Headquarter for Split and Dalmatia Special Forces, although they were on duty to keep journalists far from the car with the person threatening with suicide by bomb, violated articles 96 Subsection 1, Align 3 and 7 of the Police Law. Consequently, they will be suspended and taken under disciplinary measures.“
“Also, following the journalist’s report, investigation of two police officers is opened due to potential crime of Damaging somebody else’s property as stated in Article 235, Subsection 1 and Physical injury, Article 117, Subsection 2 of Criminal Code“, was said in answer to the official letter of the Regional Platform for advocating media freedom and safety of journalists. The letter expressed the Platform’s concern due to physical attack against Drago Miljuš, Indeks.hr journalist.
International organizations condemned the attack
Following initiative of the Regional Platform, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) reported about the case to European Council. All cases of attacks against journalists are noted at Media Freedom Alerts base. Miljuš case is currently 7th Croatian case in that base.
Harlem Désir, OSCE media representative, at his Twitter profile, condemned the attack and insisted on the quick and efficient reaction of Croatian institutions.
Source: safejournalists.net, Media FreedomAlerts, OSCE