Geneva, 2 May – The European Broadcasting Union condemned an attack on the editor-in-chief of the public service broadcaster of Kosovo, saying journalists must be able to carry out their work without risk.

A fire bomb on 1 May damaged the front door of the home of Mufail Limani, editor-in-chief of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), on the outskirts of Pristina. No motive has been established. But there is speculation the attack could have been the act of extremist elements dissatisfied with the reporting of RTK.

RTK Director General Mentor Shala said Mr Limani and his family, who were asleep at the time , were lucky to escape. “He is very shocked, because he and the family were in great danger,” he said. “The whole house could have been set alight.”

EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot said he hoped the Kosovo authorities would track down the perpetrators as soon as possible.  “All of us in the EBU family strongly condemn the attack on Mr Limani’s home,” he said. “We call on the competent authorities to act firmly to ensure that independent journalists can carry out their work without fear or intimidation.”

A statement by RTK’s management described the attack on Mr Limai as “an attempt to violate freedom of expression and freedom of the media” which endangered freedom in general. “Regardless of this, RTK will continue to implement its mission in providing fair, independent and professional information,” it said.