Human Rights Action (HRA) condemns yesterday’s verbal assault by Predrag Veljić on photojournalist Savo Prelević of “Libertas” in front of the Basic Court in Podgorica.

Prelević was photographing the accused Veljić as he arrived for his scheduled hearing, a right he is entitled to exercise. Dissatisfied with this, Veljić directed a series of offensive and threatening remarks at Prelević.

Such attacks seriously threaten press freedom and the public’s right to information – fundamental principles of a democratic society.

We commend the swift response of the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica and the Police Administration, who have taken steps toward prosecuting those responsible. This action serves as a positive example of the protection of journalists and media freedom.

We remind that international standards require attacks on journalists to be treated as serious crimes and strictly punished to preserve media freedom and core democratic principles.