The EBU is appalled to learn of a grenade attack on the house of the Director General of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) this week. This follows the attack on RTK’s offices last week.

Mentor Shala and his family were at home when an explosive device, believed to be a hand grenade, was thrown into his backyard. He said: “The explosion was so powerful and quaked the neighbourhood. The explosive device was thrown behind my house. The entire family was inside but luckily no one was hurt by this explosion.

“Someone wants to threaten us and pressure us politically, but the mission of RTK is to inform all citizens of Kosovo in an independent and pluralistic manner and we continue to do our job and not give up”

Disputes over the border demarcation with Montenegro have led to an increase of political tension in Kosovo ahead of a vote at the Assembly this Thursday.

EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre said: “I am deeply concerned to learn of the attack on Mentor’s home this week and thankful that nobody was injured in the incident.

“It is worrying that attacks on freedom of the media continue in Kosovo. Free and independent public service media is essential to a well-functioning democracy and every effort must be made to stop and prevent such violence.

 “We hope those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice as soon as possible and RTK are allowed to continue broadcasting in safety.”

Kosovo Police today arrested six officials of the ‘Self Determination’ movement who are alleged to have thrown the grenades at both RTK and the Kosovo Assembly. Police also found weapons at the activists’ premises and evidence relating to the attacks.