ZAGREB/SPLIT, Nov 22 (Hina) - The "Feral Tribune" weekly said Wednesday several persons had attacked one of their reporters during Tuesday's protest rally in Split. Reporter Vladimir Matijanic was attacked during a protest of the
centre for the protection of the dignity of the Croatian Defence War, and was even spat in the fact by the centre's vice-president. Matijanic continued to be physically abused and obstructed from doing his job. Feral Tribune stressed that police who had been present at the rally had "to their shame" failed to provide adequate assistance to the unfortunate reporter, although he pleaded for help. Following this incident, the weekly said, vice-president of the Coordination of Veterans' Associations, Ivica Vladava Djovani, had threatened the reporter with physical violence should his name be mentioned in the paper. By the end, the centre's vice-president Luka Podrug, known in the public by thr
ZAGREB/SPLIT, Nov 22 (Hina) - The "Feral Tribune" weekly said
Wednesday several persons had attacked one of their reporters
during Tuesday's protest rally in Split.
Reporter Vladimir Matijanic was attacked during a protest of the
centre for the protection of the dignity of the Croatian Defence
War, and was even spat in the fact by the centre's vice-president.
Matijanic continued to be physically abused and obstructed from
doing his job.
Feral Tribune stressed that police who had been present at the rally
had "to their shame" failed to provide adequate assistance to the
unfortunate reporter, although he pleaded for help.
Following this incident, the weekly said, vice-president of the
Coordination of Veterans' Associations, Ivica Vladava Djovani, had
threatened the reporter with physical violence should his name be
mentioned in the paper.
By the end, the centre's vice-president Luka Podrug, known in the
public by threats made to the President of the Republic and Feral's
editors, spat Matijanic in the face, the weekly said in a
statement.
The weekly expressed hope the incident would this time not go
unpunished, and that relevant organs would do their job, to the
attackers would be sanctioned.
The Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) most harshly denounced
the verbal and physical abuse of reporter Vladimir Matijanic.
The Association stressed several protest participants had attacked
Feral's reporter who had been there to cover the rally, and had
physically prevented him from doing his job.
Police securing the rally had not provided the reported with
protection, the HND said.
Commenting on the spitting in Matijanic's face, the HND said the
action was a symbolical spitting in the face of reporters' rights
and freedoms.
The Association thus requested that the organisers of the protest
be adequately punished.
The HND supports the "Feral Tribune" editorial desk in its request
for the protection of the human and professional dignity of their
and all reporters who are performing their duties to the interest of
the public, the statement, signed by HND president Dragutin Lucic,
said.
(hina) lml