07. 07. 2003

Get to the Facts behind the Car Bomb

The Association of Independent Media (ANEM) demands that the authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the attack on the car belonging to Radisav Rodic, the owner of daily newspapers Glas Javnosti and Kurir.

A car bomb destroyed Rodic's Mercedes 124 at around 10pm on Sunday evening outside the Avalica restaurant in Ljutice Bogdana Street, Belgrade.

Rodic, who was in the restaurant at the time, told B92: "There was a loud explosion and I saw smoke. The waiters told me that had seen two vehicles pass by, one white, the other red, and that they stopped for a moment."

Asked who he thought might be responsible, Rodic said he could not yet comment: "There are many things - from texts in Kurir and Glas Javnosti, to the unresolved financial situations of Javnosti's printing house. I've received many threats."

ANEM demands that the authorities begin investigating the case as soon as possible, that they establish all the facts, and track down the culprits.

A similar incident occurred in Zagreb when a car bomb destroyed the jeep belonging to the owner of Europapress Holding.

ANEM asks that the authorities take into consideration the consequences of yesterday's attack not only for papers owned by Mr. Rodic, but for freedom of press in general - both in this country and the region.

Veran Matic
ANEM chairman