Serb minister apologises for slapping journalist

The South East Europe Media Organisation had condemned the incident as an attempt to out “pressures on Kurir‘s journalist”.

BELGRADE - Serbia's Infrastructure Minister Milutin Mrkonjic apologised Wednesday to a journalist whose newspaper says he was slapped by the official at a meeting of parliamentarians, television reported.

"It is possible that my way of communication is unusual, so I apologise for my gesture yesterday," B92 television quoted Mrkonjic as saying, without revealing details of the incident.

Belgrade tabloid "Kurir" said in a statement Tuesday that Mrkonjic had slapped one of its journalists across the cheek in front of several deputies and journalists during a parliamentary committee session.

However no independent witnesses confirmed the incident.

The tabloid had threatened to file charges against the minister but its lawyer said that it would not take action after the apology.

The South East Europe Media Organisation had condemned the incident as an attempt to out "pressures on Kurir's journalist".