(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 3 November 2004 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate: Vienna, 3 November 2004 The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute […]
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 3 November 2004 press release by the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), an IPI affiliate:
Vienna, 3 November 2004
The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is alarmed about the recent physical attack on Philippos Syrigos, sports editor of the Athens daily Eleftherotypia and a radio and TV presenter.
According to information before SEEMO, on Monday, 18 October 2004, Philippos Syrigos was attacked in the parking space near Super Sport FM radio station, while going to his car after a radio show. He was attacked at about 4 p.m. by two unknown men wearing helmets. One of them hit Syrigos on the head with a metal bar, while the other one stabbed him several times in the back. The two perpetrators managed to escape. Syrigos was rushed to a hospital where he was forced to undergo an emergency operation and treatment for his injuries. He was released from the hospital on 23 October.
SEEMO has also been informed that the journalist had received threats by telephone prior to the attack and that unknown people had been calling the radio station and the newspaper in order to protest his revelations. Syrigos is well known for reporting on a doping case during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
SEEMO calls upon the authorities in Greece to find and bring to justice those responsible for the attack. SEEMO would also like to remind the Greek authorities that freedom of expression and a safe working environment for journalists are basic principles of any democratic society.
