The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), today said it was concerned about reports that a police officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina struck a journalist in the head with a baton.

A local police officer in Tuzla allegedly struck Branislav Pavicic of RTV Slon yesterday near the entrance to the Tuzla Canton government building. Reports said that Pavicic, who was present with other journalists to report on a demonstration, was readily identifiable as a journalist, as he was wearing a press badge and carrying a camera.

“I call on authorities to take swift action against the police officer who attacked Branislav Pavicic,” SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said. “The journalist, who was doing his job reporting from a protest, was injured and could not complete his assignment as a result of this attack. Additionally, I call on authorities in Tuzla to better educate police officers on how to treat journalists who are present at protests in their professional capacity.”