OSCE media freedom representative urges swift investigation into latest attack against Bulgarian journalist

SARAJEVO, 14 October 2011 – Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, today strongly condemned the bomb attack targeted at Bulgarian television journalist Sasho Dikov and urged the authorities to carry out a swift and transparent investigation.

“I am relieved that no-one was injured,” said Mijatović, referring to a bomb that exploded under Dikov’s car in the evening of 13 October outside his home in Sofia. “I am also pleased that the authorities have started an investigation into the possible motives behind the attack.” The journalist is known for his political reporting and his work as a sports journalist. 

“Violence against journalists is an increasing problem in Bulgaria. The government must increase its efforts to remedy the situation by publicly refuting all attempts to silence journalists and urging law enforcement to bring the perpetrators and masterminds of these crimes to justice,” she said.

“I hope that the authorities will do their utmost to successfully investigate this attack, as well as earlier cases of violence against journalists in Bulgaria that remain unsolved,” Mijatović said, referring to an explosion that took place in February outside the offices of the weekly newspaper Galeria in Sofia.