OSCE condemns attack on Ukrinform's press center

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir has condemned an attack on the press center of the Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform and called on the Ukrainian authorities to bring the attackers to justice.

"I condemn attack on press center of UKRINFORM news agency on 30 July in Kyiv, Ukraine. Several media workers were assaulted and equipment damaged. I call on the authorities to fully investigate this incident and prosecute the attackers," Desir wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday, August 1.

On Tuesday, July 30, young men dressed in T-shirts with the inscription "Tradition and Order" broke into the press center of the Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform, which hosted a press conference on parliamentary elections at district No. 50 in Donbas. They broke the door down, damaged a costly conference room sound system and pulled out five microphones.

Three Ukrinform employees were injured in the attack. One victim sustained an eye injury and numerous bruises.

Kyiv police opened criminal proceedings under Article 125 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intended light bodily injury).

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