SEEMO Condemns Molotov Cocktail Attack on Bulgarian TV SKAT

Pictured: a car of SKAT TV was set on fire in June 2009. Photo by BGNES

The Southeast Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) strongly condemns the attack on TV SKAT in Bulgaria.

In a press announcement Monday, the SEEMO, which is an affiliate of the International Press Institute, reminds that on February 3, 2010, the premises of the Varna office of Bulgarian TV SKAT were attacked with a Molotov cocktail, following a similar attack on the head office of TV SKAT in Burgas just one day previously, on February 3, 2010, and that the perpetrators remain unknown so far.

It also says that in 2009, TV SKAT journalist Silvija Trendafilova and her colleague, cameraman Peter Georgiev, were beaten by bodyguards of a leader of a political party.

"SEEMO strongly condemns the threats and attacks on journalists of TV SKAT. SEEMO is concerned about the worsening situation for journalists. SEEMO has registered many attacks and threats in Bulgaria. It is in particular very unfortunate that such incidents are still occurring despite the fact that Bulgaria is a member of the European Union. SEEMO therefore urges the Bulgarian authorities to do everything in their power to provide safe working conditions for journalists," SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic is quoted as saying.

Last week SEEMO sent a letter to Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov over a Blagoevgrad journalist facing threats from the notorious Galevi Brothers.

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