Three journalists with Albanian- language media in Kosovo harassed

Kosovo
This article is more than 28 years old

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

28 August 1996

2 minute read

On 31 July 1996, Gani Kosumi, a freelance sports journalist and stringer with Albanian Radio and Television, was detained by police for several hours. He was arrested during the break up by police of the Convention of the Kosovo Federation of Football. He was questioned about sporting organisations and journalism by Albanians in Kosovo. Agim […]

On 31 July 1996, Gani Kosumi, a freelance sports journalist and
stringer with Albanian Radio and Television, was detained by
police for several hours. He was arrested during the break up by
police of the Convention of the Kosovo Federation of Football. He
was questioned about sporting organisations and journalism by
Albanians in Kosovo.

Agim Muhaxheri, a reporter with “Bujku/Rilindja”, was arrested on
1 August. He was held for several hours in a police station and
then transferred to Serbian security premises in Ferizaj and
interrogated about his journalistic work.

As well, Ibrahim Kelmenid of “Bujku/Rilindja” was stopped by
police on 2 August near Peja and assaulted. He was then
transferred to the Serbian security station in Peja where he was
also questioned about his journalistic work. Kelmenid required
medical treatment as a result of his injuries.

Recommended Action


Send appeals to authorities:
  • pointing out that these incidents constitute attacks on press
    freedom
  • indicating that these incidents are symptomatic of the serious
    abuses continuously being committed by Serbian authorities
    against the Albanian-language media in Kosovo
  • urging them to undertake full investigations into all of these
    incidents and calling for the immediate cessation of the
    harassment of the Albanian-language media
  • requesting the full reinstatement of the Albanian-language media
    in Kosovo

    Appeals To



    
His Excellency Slobodan Milosevic
    
President
    
Republic of Serbia
    
Fax: +381 11 656 862/+381 11 682 167/+381 11 682 850
    



    
His Excellency Zoran Lilic
    
President
    
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
    
Fax: +381 11 656 862/+381 11 682 167
    



    
Aleksandra Tijanic
    
Minister of Information
    
Republic of Serbia
    
Fax: +381 11 685 937
    



    
Dragutin Brcin
    
Federal Minister of Information
    
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
    
Fax: +381 11 600 446
    



    
Zoran Sokolovic
    
Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia
    
Kneza Milosa 101
    
11000 Beograd, Yugoslavia
    
Fax: +381 11 683 041 / 685 937

    Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.

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