14. 03. 2005

JOURNALISTS BEATEN IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, March 14, 2005 – Five Serbian journalists were injured before the start of the handball game between Zagreb and Partizan in the second leg of the Cup winners’ Cup quarterfinals and Cibona-Hemofarm basketball game in Zagreb last night. Two Belgrade journalists, Ljubisa Petrovic from Studio B and Milica Babic from BK TV were injured when fans of the Zagreb handball club attacked them throwing various hard objects. Petrovic was hit on the head, while Babic twisted her ankle trying to escape the hoodlums running toward the tunnel. The journalists that came to Zagreb to report on the rematch were unable to stay at the Hall. The club’s management and police tried to transport the majority of Serbian journalists and photographers back to the hotel (RTS journalists remained in the Hall). Croatian journalists also left the Hall in a demonstrative manner, thus showing solidarity with their Belgrade colleagues. In addition, Zagreb fans stoned the bus full of journalists from Belgrade hundred meters away from the Zagreb Ice Hall. No one was injured; however, a significant damage was done to the vehicle. Journalists were safely taken back to the hotel “Panorama”, where the players from Belgrade “Partizan” handball club were staying.