The British Union of Journalists condemns vandalism at the home of journalist Vudi Xhymshiti in Kosovo

The National Union of British Journalists (NUJ) condemned the vandalism of a house in Kosovo belonging to the family of investigative journalist Vudi Xhymshiti, calling on the authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible, writes Kronika e Baruti .

In a statement released on Monday, the NUJ said they were “shocked” by the attack on uninhabitable property and called on “the police and relevant authorities in the Republic of Kosovo to investigate this act and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said NUJ general secretary Laura Davison.

Xhymshiti, founder and editor-in-chief of The FRONTLINE Media and Gunpowder Chronicles, went public with the incident over the weekend. He said windows were smashed and a “memorial car, a symbol of our late father,” was defaced. No theft was reported. He described the vandalism as an act of intimidation related to his reporting on Serbian espionage and disinformation networks in Kosovo and elsewhere.

The Gunpowder Chronicles, in a separate statement on Monday, said that documentation on the incident had been submitted to press freedom organizations, including the Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK), the European Center for Press and Media Freedom, the International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists. The outlet added that, according to the latest data, four people had been arrested on suspicion of repossession for a second attempted demolition, the case being actively investigated by police.

Xhymshit’s confession and the NUJ’s intervention have drawn new attention to the dangers facing journalists in Kosovo. A report by Prishtina Insight says that Slavko Simic, vice-chairman of the Belgrade-backed Serbian List, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he participated in and incited attacks on journalists during the 2023 Leposavić riots, when a masked mob allegedly threw stun grenades, bricks and paint after Simic shouted “attack the media”, injuring two reporters and damaging other equipment and tools. His co-defendant, Uroš Vukašinović, also pleaded not guilty. In a separate case related to the same period of protests in the north, Dalibor Spasić was convicted of attacking journalist Burim Zarići in Zvečan during clashes between KFOR troops and Serb protesters, receiving a six-month sentence commuted to a fine. The Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK) recorded 30 attacks on reporters during those protests, including physical violence, forced deletion of footage, and vandalism, while police arrested several suspects, including Milun “Lune” Milenković, in connection with the attacks on KFOR and journalists.

Local and regional media outlets gave space to Xhymshit’s weekend statement, framing the episode as an attempt to silence investigative reporting on security-related networks. The Albanian-language website Politiko.al reported that the journalist’s home, which is no longer his residence, was targeted by individuals suspected of being linked to criminal structures and influence operations that he has been investigating. Argumentum.al also published an editorial expressing “unwavering solidarity” with Xhymshit, condemning the vandalism and intimidation as a direct attack on free, independent and critical journalism, and calling on Kosovo’s justice and security institutions to investigate transparently, identify the perpetrators and ensure accountability.

In his press release, Xhymshiti linked the attack to past violence, recalling that the same house was burned down in 1999 during the war in Kosovo under Milosevic. “No threats, no vandalism, and no campaign of deception will deter me or The FRONTLINE Media from our mission,” he said.

The NUJ statement places the episode squarely in the realm of journalist safety, a priority area for the union, which has called on authorities in the UK and internationally to respond decisively to intimidation targeting reporters and their families. Monday’s call for accountability echoes the union’s broader advocacy for rigorous investigations when journalists are attacked or threatened.

What do we know:

When: NUJ released the statement on Monday, October 13, 2025. Xhymshit's press release was issued on Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Where: The incident occurred on an uninhabitable family property in Kosovo. National Union of Journalists.

Damage: Windows were broken and a family memorial car was defaced, no items were reported stolen.

Suspicions/Motive: Xhymshiti links the vandalism to the publication of his research findings on espionage and disinformation networks in Kosovo; Gunpowder Chronicles says it has notified several media freedom organizations and reports four arrests under police investigation.

Why it matters: Attacks on journalists’ homes and families are a long-standing tactic to stifle reporting. While the details of the Kosovo police investigation remain unclear, the intervention by the British journalists’ union adds institutional weight to calls for a transparent investigation. Human rights and journalists’ groups say consistent enforcement, swift identification and prosecution prevent repeat offenses and signal that harassment of journalists will not be tolerated.