Flash News

E-TJERA

BIRN: Mafia attack on Top-Channel, serious consequences if the authorities fail to solve the incident

BIRN: Mafia attack on Top-Channel, serious consequences if the authorities fail

A Kalashnikov volley from a moving car killed a guard at the headquarters of Top Channel in Tirana, the worst event against the media recorded in a long time. Politics and organizations asked the authorities to investigate the incident.

Albania was shocked on Monday morning by the most serious event against the media recorded in the country in many, many years, resulting in a loss of life. A vehicle was later found burned about 30 kilometers away with two Kalashnikovs suspected to have been used in the attack. Heads of state, journalists and freedom of expression organizations condemned the attack and called for the perpetrators to be found quickly.

This is the most serious criminal event that has hit the media in the country in a long, long time and is expected to have serious consequences for freedom of expression if the authorities fail to clear it up.

Prime Minister Edi Rama considered the attack "criminal aggression" while President Bajram Begaj encouraged "whitewashing of the incident".

"Criminal aggression against TCH, resulting in the loss of life of security personnel, requires a clear response from law enforcement agencies! Condolences to the family of the deceased and the entire TCH community, which deserves everyone's solidarity at this very disturbing moment!" declared Rama.

"As I express my condolences to the family of Mr. Kola, I encourage the law-enforcement bodies to clarify this criminal event as soon as possible and with the highest responsibility," declared Begaj.

The Minister of the Interior, Blendi Çuçi, declared that "the State Police is fully committed" to clarifying the incident.

The European Center for Freedom of Expression and Press, ECPMF, expressed shock and called for a professional investigation into the incident.

"We are shocked by the gun attack against Top Channel in Albania, which killed a security guard. We express our condolences to the family and call on the authorities to conduct a professional and independent investigation," the organization stated.

Albania has recognized great steps behind in freedom of expression and freedom of the media in recent years, which has become a concern in relation to the country's progress towards European integration. Several criminal events in the past, including the beating of journalists and the shooting of journalist Klodiana Lala's house, have remained unsolved./Taken from Reporter.al

 

Latest news