Bulgaria PM Condemns Attack on Investigative Reporter

Bulgarian investigative reporter Dimitar Varbanov from the TV show "Gospodari na Efira", or "Lords of the Airwaves", which mixes satirical and comic content with investigations, was attacked while at work in the north-central city of Veliko Tarnovo, Nova TV announced on Wednesday evening.

Varbanov was thrown to the ground by the owners of a warehouse while investigating an alleged business of repackaging expired foodstuff. He was taken to hospital in the city, but has no reported serious injuries, Nova TV announced.

The attack drew reactions from media watchdogs and even the Prime Minister, who condemned it it from United Nations Headquarters in New York.

"I have given the investigation an hour-and-a-half to report personally to me about who has been taken into custody. The bullies must be punished with the entire force of the law," Boyko Borissov said in New York.

"This is impermissible", Borissov added, insisting that attacks against journalists would not be tolerated.

The Association of the European Journalists in Bulgaria, AEJ, also condemned the attack.

It noted that official institutions, including the Food Inspection authority and Economic Crimes police, had been informed by Varbanov about the irregularities taking place in the warehouse since June. Yet, no measures have taken place.

"It is becoming clearer ... that the failure of the institutions to fight organized crime and corruption are becoming a threat for the reporters investigating such cases", reads the AEJ statement.

Last year, Varbanov was threatened for another investigation he worked on, and in 2010 he was hit with a hammer while completing his work.

Earlier in September, two investigation journalists, Atila Biro from the...