9 journalists attacked in northern Kosovo

PRISTINA

Nine Kosovar journalists were attacked Friday in Leposavic in northern Kosovo, by masked assailants who were following the actions of Serbs around Town Hall.

The Kosovo Journalists Association (AGK) shared footage of media workers being stoned and physically attacked by masked assailants.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti shared footage of a journalist being attacked and tweeted: "Another journalist was brutally attacked while covering the developments in the north today by masked men."

"The physical attacks on those reporting from the ground are absolutely unacceptable and must be condemned by all parties who are otherwise vocal on the situation," he wrote.

Kosovo Serbs continue to protest in front of four town halls in northern Kosovo.

Tension flares after local elections

Tensions rose in Kosovo following the election of ethnic Albanian mayors in four northern districts in April. Albanians are Kosovo’s main ethnic group, but ethnic Serbs predominate in the north, near the border with Serbia.

The Serbs have been protesting the election of the mayors since late May.

At least 30 NATO peacekeeping KFOR soldiers were injured May 29 while clashing with protesting Serbs who were trying to block one of the mayors from taking his oath of office.

More than 53 civilians were also injured by shock bombs and tear gas, according to hospital sources.

On May 26, Serbia’s president ordered the army to move closer to the border with Kosovo and placed it on high alert. Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence which was declared in 2008.