(RSF/IFEX) – On 2 March 1998, Ibrahim Osmani, an Albanian journalist working in the province of Kosovo for the Agence France Presse news agency, was severely beaten by police while covering a demonstration in Pristina. After checking his press identification card, police apprehended Osmani as he tried to protect himself in a doorway from their […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 2 March 1998, Ibrahim Osmani, an Albanian journalist working
in the province of Kosovo for the Agence France Presse news agency, was
severely beaten by police while covering a demonstration in Pristina. After
checking his press identification card, police apprehended Osmani as he
tried to protect himself in a doorway from their assault on the
demonstrators. They beat him with the butts of their rifles.
That same day, Vetton Surroi, editor of the daily Albanian paper “Koha
Ditore”, Agron Bajrani, a journalist with the paper, and Sherif Konjufca, a
contributor to Albanian radio and television, were also beaten by police.
In addition, police also raided the offices of “Koha Ditore”. In his attempt
to escape, reporter Fatos Berissahen was forced to jump from the second
floor of the building and broke his leg.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
harassment, censorship, and violence in Kosovo
for questioning and many more have experienced police aggression
against journalists
Appeals To
Milan Milutinovic
Serbian President
Belgrade, Serbia
fax:+381 11 656 862
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
