Kosovo journalist gunned down

The OSCE is reviewing security in the area

An ethnic-Albanian journalist has been shot dead in Kosovo the United Nations said on Monday.

Journalist Shefki Popova - a correspondent for a Kosovo daily - was gunned down on Sunday night near the local government building in the town of Vucitrn, 18km (12 miles) from Pristina.

He was taken to a nearby military hospital, but died shortly after his arrival.

It is unknown who carried out the attack but the UN are searching for two men seen running away from the scene.

Well-known journalist

Mr Popova, aged in his 50s, was well known in the region.

Several LDK party workers have been attacked

He had worked for the local Albanian-language newspaper Rilindja for 26 years.

He also contributed to the paper's radio station of the same name.

Both are closely associated with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).

The party is one of the favourites to win in October's forthcoming local elections.

Several attacks

Over the past few months several party workers have been attacked and one leading politician murdered.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe - which is responsible for organising the polls - says it is investigating up to 20 such incidents.

However it says it has been unable to determine who is behind the violence, due to a lack of witnesses.

At the same time, security is being reviewed for up to 100 candidates standing for election. Some, including the LDK, have requested weapons permits.

A gun hidden in a book were among the weapons found

Further protection for journalists is also being considered.

But police are already overstretched in the province and the UN admits that few people will have the protection they desire.

Last week, Nato-led KFOR peacekeeping troops uncovered a huge cache of weapons and ammunition hidden in the town of Kosovo Polje.