OSCE media freedom representative welcomes progress in investigation of killing of Bulgarian journalist, urges full and thorough investigation

VIENNA, 12 October 2018 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed the progress in the investigation of the brutal murder of the Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova.

“I welcome important steps in the investigation of the murder of Viktoria Marinova, the arrest of a suspect in Germany on 9 October and today’s German court decision to extradite him to Bulgaria,” said Désir. “I praise the swift action of the police and judiciary and the international co-operation, which led to this arrest. It is essential that the ongoing investigation establishes all the circumstances of this horrible crime.”

Viktoria Marinova was a TV anchor and administrative director of the TVN television station in Ruse, a regional centre 300 kilometres north of Sofia. She was brutally murdered there on 6 October. The suspect was detained in Germany three days later.

The Representative called for justice and thorough investigation on 7 October: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/398888

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.