“I am concerned at numerous reports of police violence against journalists covering demonstrations in Sofia,” DunjaMijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, said on the institution's website. “Several journalists were reportedly beaten up and pepper sprayed when riot police clashed with demonstrators yesterday in Sofia. One journalist was reportedly detained for hours and others had their professional equipment damaged. Violence against journalists, especially at the hands of state agents, is contrary to states’ duty to uphold press freedom and to protect the safety of journalists," Mijatović points out.
She called on the Bulgarian authorities to investigate registered cases of attacks on journalists and to punish police officers responsible for them.
On the occasion of yesterday's incidents with injured journalists, the Council for Electronic Media, the Union of Bulgarian Journalists and the Association of European Journalists in Bulgaria also came out with sharp positions.
