The South and East Europe Media Organisation, (SEEMO) a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East and Central Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is pleased to hear that the police have detained the alleged perpetrators of the brutal attack on Jutarnji List journalist Dusan Miljus.

On 22 December 2010, in the scope of operational actions under the name of “Shock 3”, the Croatian police detained four suspects allegedly connected to the Miljus case.

Two years ago, on 2 June 2008, in front of his home in Zagreb, Croatia, Miljus was brutally attacked by unidentified men who beat him with baseball bats until he lost consciousness. When a neighbour noticed the attack and started yelling, the men fled. Since the attack, Miljus has been threatened and has remained under police protection.

Miljus’ writings span 20 years and cover crime in South East Europe, the mafia and Croatian underground circles.

SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said: “SEEMO salutes the thorough police investigation which has proved to be serious and efficient and which has led to the detention of four alleged perpetrators. In capturing the alleged perpetrators Croatia sends a positive sign in the direction of a democratic society with press freedom.”

Vujovic continued: “However, it still needs to be determined who was the mastermind behind the brutal attack on Miljus.”

In an effort to gain further information about the media situation in Croatia, SEEMO, in cooperation with IPI, will hold a press freedom mission to the country from 25 – 28 January 2011. The mission will be led by SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic, and mission delegates will meet with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, as well as with leading Croatian media representatives.