Journalists’ association reports assaults and restrictions on election day

Election day in Serbia was marked by physical attacks on journalists, restrictions on reporting from polling stations, website outages and the denial of entry to foreign journalists, the Serbian Journalists' Association (UNS) said on Monday. Journalists Mihajlo Stojkovic of the InfoVranjske portal and Jelena Stojkovic of Vecernje Novosti daily were injured in an attack in the village of Pavlovac near Vranje while reporting on alleged voting irregularities. Two men were arrested in connection with the incident. Three journalists from the Blokada Info outlet were also reportedly attacked in Belgrade, while podcast author Galeb Nikacevic was struck by a man outside the Caciland park outside the presidency building. Several news crews were prevented from reporting at polling stations, including in Cacak, Pancevo, Belgrade and Ruma. The ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) also denied accreditation to journalists from N1, Nova, Danas and Radar for its election-night headquarters.