NUJ condemns vandalism at Kosovo home of London-based journalist
Britain’s journalists’ union condemned vandalism at Vudi Xhymshiti’s family home in Kosovo, urging a inquiry into intimidation allegedly linked to his reporting on espionage networks.
The National Union of Journalists has condemned the vandalism of a house in Kosovo belonging to the family of investigative journalist
, calling on authorities to identify and prosecute those responsible.In a statement published on Monday1, the NUJ said it was “dismayed” by the attack on the unoccupied property and urged “the police and relevant authorities in the Republic of Kosovo to investigate this act and bring those who did it to justice,” NUJ general secretary Laura Davison said.
Xhymshiti, founder and editor-in-chief of The FRONTLINE Media and the Gunpowder Chronicles, disclosed the incident over the weekend2. He said windows were smashed and a “memorial car, a symbol of our late father,” was desecrated. Nothing was stolen. He characterised the vandalism as an act of intimidation linked to his reporting on Serbian espionage and disinformation networks in the Western Balkans.
The Gunpowder Chronicles, in a separate statement on Monday3, said documentation on the incident had been submitted to press freedom organisations including the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, the International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists. The outlet added that, as of its latest update, four individuals had been arrested on suspicion of returning to the property for a second attempt at demolition, the case is under active police investigation.
Xhymshiti’s account and the NUJ’s intervention drew fresh attention to the risks faced by journalists in Kosovo. Prishtina Insight reports4 that Slavko Simic, deputy leader of the Belgrade-backed Srpska Lista, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he participated in and incited attacks on journalists during unrest in Leposavic in 2023, when a masked crowd allegedly threw stun grenades, bricks and paint after Simic shouted “hit the media”, injuring two reporters and damaging equipment and vehicles. His co-accused, Uros Vukasinovic, also pleaded not guilty. In a separate case linked to the same period of protests in the north, Dalibor Spasic was convicted for attacking journalist Burim Zariqi in Zvecan during clashes between KFOR troops and Serb protesters, receiving a six-month sentence converted to a fine. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) recorded 30 attacks on reporters during those protests including assaults, forced deletion of footage and vandalism while police arrested several suspects, among them Milun “Lune” Milenkovic, in connection with attacks on KFOR and journalists.
Local and regional outlets amplified Xhymshiti’s weekend statement, framing the episode as an effort to silence investigative reporting on security-linked networks. The Albanian-language site Politiko.al reported5 that the house no longer the journalist’s residence, was targeted by individuals allegedly tied to criminal structures and influence operations he has investigated. Argumentum.al likewise issued an editorial statement6 expressing “unwavering solidarity” with Xhymshiti, condemning the vandalism and intimidation as a direct assault on free, independent and critical journalism, and urging Kosovo’s justice and security institutions to investigate transparently, identify the perpetrators, and ensure accountability.
In his press release, Xhymshiti drew a line between the attack and past violence, recalling that the same house was burned in 1999 during the Milosevic-era wartime in Kosovo. “No threat, no vandalism, and no campaign of deceit will deter me or The FRONTLINE Media from our mission,” he said.
The NUJ’s statement places the episode squarely in the realm of journalist safety, a priority area for the union, which has urged UK-based and international bodies to respond decisively to intimidation targeting reporters and their families. Monday’s call for accountability echoes the union’s broader advocacy for robust investigations when journalists are attacked or threatened.
What we know
When: The NUJ published its statement on Monday, 13 October 2025. Xhymshiti’s press release was issued on Saturday, 11 October 2025.
Where: The incident occurred at an unoccupied family property in Kosovo. National Union of Journalists
Damage: Windows were broken and a family memorial car was desecrated; no items were reported stolen.
Allegations/Motive: Xhymshiti links the vandalism to his investigations into espionage and disinformation networks; The Gunpowder Chronicles says it has notified multiple press freedom organisations and reports four arrests under police investigation.
Why it matters
Attacks on journalists’ homes and families are a long-recognised tactic to chill reporting. While the details of the Kosovo police investigation remain unclear, the union’s intervention adds institutional weight to calls for a transparent inquiry. Rights groups say consistent enforcement, swift identification and prosecution deters repeat offences and signals that harassment of journalists will not be tolerated.
Family home of investigative journalist vandalised — National Union of Journalists (UK)
PRESS RELEASE: Journalist Vudi Xhymshiti Condemns Vandalism of Family Home in Kosovo
Investigative journalist Vudi Xhymshiti condemns the vandalism of his family home in Kosovo, calling it a criminal intimidation linked to his exposés on Serbian espionage networks. — The GPC Media Watch.
STATEMENT: Kosovo Attack Tied to Investigations Exposing Espionage and Disinformation
The Gunpowder Chronicles confirms the Kosovo attack on Chief Editor Vudi Xhymshiti’s family home is a direct retaliation for investigations exposing espionage, corruption, and disinformation networks. — The GPC Media Watch.
Kosovo Serb Party’s Deputy Leader Tried for 2023 Attack on Journalists
Slavko Simic of the Belgrade-backed Srpska Lista party pleaded not guilty to involvement in violent attacks with stun grenades and bricks on journalists covering protests by Serbs in north Kosovo in 2023. — Prishtina Insight.
Journalist Vudi Xhymshiti’s apartment in Kosovo attacked: An act that recalls Milosevic’s brutality — Politiko.al
Gazetari investigativ Vudi Xhymshiti denoncon vandalizmin ndaj pronës së familjes së tij në Kosovë: “Frikësimi nuk do të më ndalë” — Argumentum.al