OSCE: Investigate police attack on journalist

OSCE: Investigate police attack on journalist

“The police have a responsibility to safeguard and ensure the safety of members of the media. Incidents like these cannot be tolerated as they contribute to an atmosphere of fear and intimidation and endanger free media," Mijatovic said.

Mijatovic "welcomed the announcement of an investigation looking into the incident by the Nis police chief as well as condemnation of the attack by the UNS, NUNS and NDNV journalists’ associations in Serbia," the OSCE statement said.

Juzne Vesti website editor Predrag Blagojevic was detained by a police officer in the night between Saturday and Sunday, while attending a local jazz festival, Nisville.

As he was taken to the police van, he was struck twice in the head by the arresting officer, the Serbian media reported.

Blagojevic was brought in so the police could determine his identity, considering he did not carry his police-issued ID card but only his journalist card.

The Juzne Vesti website said the arrest came "after a short altercation over the fact Blagojevic did not have his ID card."

Blagojevic said the incident happened at around 2 a.m. after a policeman approached him at the entrance to the festival's Midnight Jazz Stage and asked for his ID card, and after he was unable to produce one and offered his journalist ID instead.

The OSCE statement on Tuesday mentioned that Blagojevic "previously received threats for his reporting."