Serbian ministry condemns journalist assault at Frankfurt event

Serbia's Ministry of Information and Telecommunications has strongly condemned the physical assault of a journalist during an event organized by the ProGlas group in Frankfurt. The incident occurred while the journalist was questioning panelists at the gathering.

Video footage circulating on social media shows a man identifying himself as a journalist asking the panel why citizens should vote for them. He was then forcibly removed from the hall by a younger man. While panelist Zoran Kesic attempted to de-escalate the situation, calling for calm, no official explanation for the younger man's actions was provided, and he remained unidentified.

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We condemn any form of violence, pressure, threats and assaults on journalists and media staff regardless of editorial policy, professional views or media affiliation.

ProGlas, described as an informal collective of public figures including academics, artists, and media personalities, has been vocal in advocating for elections and supporting student protests over the past year and a half. In an Instagram post, ProGlas stated that the evening's atmosphere was intended for dialogue, suggesting that those who disrupted it did so by purchasing tickets to the event.

The Ministry's statement emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence, pressure, threats, or assaults targeting journalists and media personnel. It stressed that such actions are unacceptable, irrespective of the journalist's editorial stance, professional opinions, or media affiliation, and particularly when directed at journalists asking questions.

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Verbal and physical violence against any journalist over questions is unacceptable.