Croatia’s Melita Vrsaljko attacked twice over report on illegal waste dump

An undated photo of Croatian journalist Melita Vrsaljko at work in the offices of Faktograf. On July 16, she was attacked in her home because of her reporting. (Photo: Faktograf)

Berlin, July 18, 2024 – Croatian authorities should swiftly investigate two attacks on reporter Melita Vrsaljko in connection with her environmental reporting and take steps to ensure her safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists demanded on Thursday.

On Monday, July 15, Vrsaljko and a cameraman were filming an illegal garbage dump in the village of Nadin in central Croatia when the journalist, who works for the fact-checking website Faktograf, was attacked by a man who threatened to destroy the team’s equipment.

The following day, the man’s daughter entered Vrsaljko’s home and hit her, tried to choke her, pulled her hair and snatched her phone away to delete the recordings of her father from the previous day, according to news reports and as Faktograf’s executive director Ana Brakus spoke to CPJ.

Vrsaljko managed to free herself and reported both attacks to the police. However, in a report on the incidents, she said that “both sides” were blamed for the disturbance of public order and that she had also been given a restraining order requiring her to stay at least 50 metres away from the man who first attacked her.

“Croatian authorities should promptly and thoroughly investigate the recent attacks on reporter Melita Vrsaljko and hold the perpetrators accountable,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s European representative. “Attacking or intimidating journalists who cover issues of public interest such as the environment is completely unacceptable and suggests that the attackers have something to hide.”

An email from CPJ seeking comment from the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for the police, went unanswered.