The Vienna-based South East Europe Organisation (SEEMO), an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), today condemned a reported verbal and physical attack on a journalist in Montenegro in advance of parliamentary elections set for Oct. 14.

On Oct. 4, Montenegro’s prime minister, Igor Luksic, was speaking to a group of supporters of the ruling party at a forum in Pljevlja, in northern Montenegro, when he said that there was no independent media in Montenegro, accusing two dailies, Vijesti and Dan, of allying with the opposition. Following the forum, the Vijesti correspondent from Pljevlja, Goran Malidzan, was verbally attacked and then allegedly punched in the back by a local politician. A former policeman intervened and allegedly told Malidzan: “I shall drink your blood one day.”

Vijesti reporters, as SEEMO has reported, have been attacked on numerous occasions. In March 2012, investigative reporter Olivera Lakic was hospitalised after being hit several times in the head when entering her apartment.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: “I strongly condemn attacks against journalists. They happen too often in Montenegro. I call on all politicians to stop attacks against media and I urge the police to bring all the perpetrators to justice.”