Bulgaria: CFWIJ Is Alarmed By Another Attack Against Journalist Desislava Panayotova
Location: Bulgaria
Date: March 25, 2021
Desislava Panayotova is a journalist for the online news website DEN News. Unidentified men destroyed the glass screen of Desislava’s car, which was parked outside her residence, on Friday, March 12. The incident is the second of its kind. In December last year, Desislava’s car was shot at, leaving bullets in the windscreen. The attack seems to be a tactic to intimidate and threaten the journalist, as nothing was found missing from the car. CFWIJ condemns the dangerous and desperate attempts to discourage the journalist from doing her job. We demand law enforcement to investigate and apprehend the criminals behind the vandalism.
The first attack on Desislava’s car was reported in December last year when shots were fired at her car. The attack left bullet holes in the vehicle’s windscreen. Now, just four months later, vandals made another attempt to torment her. This time, the car’s windscreen was damaged by an unknown heavy object, as seen in the picture shared by RSF. The police found a piece of tile nearby that was likely used in the attack. According to police, the attack on Desislava’s property is related to her journalistic commitment.
#Bulgaria: The car of DenNews' journalist Desislava Panayotova has been vandalized in #Dupnitsa, for the 2nd time in 4 months! @RSF_inter deplores an intimidation & asks #Sofia authorities to centralise the investigation in line with its recent proposals :https://t.co/kjtQKYT30a pic.twitter.com/ESS7fRXLNF
— RSF in English (@RSF_en) March 16, 2021
Desislava Panayotova believes the damage to her car is related to her investigation of a case she has pursued since last year. Yanik Milanov was reported missing from the Dupnitsa community in July 2020. Yanik was last seen accompanied by a man who works for the Galevi Brothers, internationally notorious Bulgarian criminals. The disappearance of Yanik Milanov remains unsolved, despite the efforts of the chief prosecutor. Desislava closely followed the story and covered its details and development. The journalist is also a moderator of a Facebook page entitled “Where is Janek”, created to find information regarding the missing man.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by the threatening attack against Desislava. We demand that law enforcement in Bulgaria investigate and apprehend the perpetrators. We offer our support to Desislava Panayotova and commend her efforts and commitment. We hope the journalist remains safe and is provided with the necessary security.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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