Country | MN |
Name and Surname | Veliša Kadić |
Gender | Male |
Date | 13/05/2020 |
City / Location | Nikšić |
Type of incident | Actual attacks on journalists |
By whom | by policeman |
Type of media | |
Media name | Večernje novosti |
Source | Vijesti |
Public prosecutor | Public prosecutor has not commented the case. |
Judiciary status | It is unknown if case has a judiciary status. |
Was journalist`s association informed | Yes |
What was journalists' association reaction | Trade Union of Media of Montenegro reacted by press realize with the network "SafeJournalists". |
Amid protest that turned violent Vecernje Novosti correspondent Velisa Kadic was arrested and his eyes were pepper sprayed while reporting from Niksic. He was released after three hours, but the material he had filmed was deleted by the police.
On May, 13 Kadic was reporting from protests in Niksic. As he was trying to film two policemen dealing with a protestor, he was approached by a fully equipped policeman who asked “Who are you? Who gave you a right to film?”
– I was about to show my press card, but they got hold of me. I told them I am a journalist, but they asked for my mobile phone and requested that I delete the footage. After I said that I couldn’t do that because they are holding me, the policeman pepper sprayed my eyes. I still can’t open one – said Velisa Kadic for Vijesti and added that the police took his phone and deleted all footage. Although present colleagues had confirmed he is a journalist, Kadic was arrested. His release came three hours later, after local journalists requested clarification of reasons for his detention and that he is questioned urgently. Kadic stated that the policemen didn’t use force against him. Later the police told that there had been a misunderstanding and provided medical care for his face.