Bomb attack near home of Kosovo broadcaster's director

Bomb attack near home of Kosovo broadcaster's director

In a statement, the Office expressed concern over an escalation of violence and extremism in Serbia's southern province.

Several days ago another device was thrown in the yard of the broadcaster itself.

In view of these incidents, "there is no other way of interpreting this attack but as a continuation of a campaign aimed at intimidating media in Kosovo and Metohija to keep them from reporting on the cruel reality and events such as Sunday's anti-Serb protest in Musutiste," the Office said.

"Continuing intimidation of media and journalists in Kosovo and Metohija is evidently aimed at covering up the truth about corruption, organised crime, activities of paramilitary and crime clans and growing extremism in the province," it said.

The government in Pristina also condemned the attack against Shala, saying it was "a direct attack on freedom of media in Kosovo and attempt to prevent free speech, as one of the most important values in society."

"The Kosovo government invites the competent bodies to shed light on this case and that its perpetrators and instigators face the force of law, and also take all measures to prevent such attacks in the future," a statement said, adding that the government also "expresses full support for media in their noble mission of informing society and the consolidation of free speech."

The statement also "urges the representatives of political parties to refrain from the language of violence, ultimatums, threats and blackmail that recently have addressed to RTK and some other private media, which are followed by such attacks."