In the months of February and March 1996, several Albanian journalists were subject to physical attacks as well as other forms of harassment. On 16 March, Aleko Likaj, a correspondent with the newspaper “Koha Jone”, was seriously injured by three people over an article that he had previously written about the closure of a local […]
In the months of February and March 1996, several Albanian
journalists were subject to physical attacks as well as other
forms of harassment. On 16 March, Aleko Likaj, a correspondent
with the newspaper “Koha Jone”, was seriously injured by three
people over an article that he had previously written about the
closure of a local gaming house. He was hospitalised as a result
of the attack. On 14 March, “Koha Jone” editor-in-chief
Aleksander Frangaj was found guilty of publishing in 1994 an
article on the Albanian secret service. On 12 March, Arban
Hasani, former editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Populli Po”, was
fined 100,000 leks (US$ 1,000) for publishing an article which
implicated Kosovan Albanians in smuggling activities. As well, on
11 March, the editor-in-chief of the “Kombi” newspaper was fined
100,000 leks for an article he had published alleging the
involvement of the Albanian secret service in the country’s
political life. Meanwhile, on 24 February, Blendi Fevziu,
editor-in-chief of “Aleanca”, was assaulted by two individuals as
a result of an article he had published relating to former
communist supporters.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
legal harassment of others, indicating that they constitute
infringements of press freedom and freedom of expression
against journalists
journalists, and that those found responsible be brought to
justice
Appeals To
His Excellency Dr Sali Berisha
President of the Republic of Albania
Office of the President
Bulevardi Deshmoret E Kombit
Tirana, Albania
Fax: +355 42 337 61
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
