VIENNA, 27.06.2018. – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today condemned the physical attack and death threat against a journalist, Hrvoje Bajlo, last night in Zadar.
“I condemn this brutal beating of the journalist Hrvoje Bajlo in Zadar. Attacks against media professionals are an attack on the public’s right to be informed as well as on a state’s democratic values,” Désir said.
Hrvoje Bajlo, the owner of portal “Zadar News” and a correspondent of “Index” and “Nacional”, was beaten up last night, sustaining severe injuries. The perpetrator reportedly threatened to kill Bajlo if he continued to write articles about him and “his friends”. These threats were followed by physical beatings, which resulted in Bajlo being hospitalized.
“I welcome a very prompt reaction by Croatian authorities who, according to available information have detained the accused perpetrator,” Désir said expressing hope that this incident will be properly sanctioned. “Any kind of violence against media professionals and their work is simply unacceptable and must not be tolerated. “
The Representative welcomed the reaction of the Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) who also condemned this incident, and noted that this is not the first time Bajlo was threatened and attacked.