It is the second assault on the prominent writer and journalist in Split; the attackers were arrested as they were photographed on the spot
News about this attack has spread around Split fast, and it seemed like April Fool’s news, but unfortunately, it has been confirmed. On March 31. 2016, after the end of the literature festival “Pričigin” in Split, while leaving the venue, Ante Tomić was assaulted by two young men.
They verbally abused him, and it continued with physical assault as one of the attackers tried to kick him in his head. In the brawl, Tomić’s friend was injured and was given first aid in hospital. Other visitors helped to defend Mr. Tomić, and one that actually stopped them was the famous photographer, Feđa Klarić, who has took photos of the attackers, and physically removed them from the site.
It is sad to see that people can be attacked simply for their opinions, and probably it is time to change things in Croatian public communication, as political differences should be welcomed, but all politicians should understand that their words mean something, and they should be the ones condemning these events.
Condemnation is something one can expect after this kind of event, but probably the toning down of verbal abuse by politicians is the only way to avoid future assaults. It is to be noted that Mr. Tomić was continuously insulted by some prominent politicians with the very same words the attackers repeated before the physical assault yesterday.
