Police officers on guard in the protest relating to the murder of Klodian Rasha |
The European Commission has condemned the violence against journalists during the protests that have been going on for 5 days for the murder of 25-year-old Klodian Rasha by a police officer.
The spokesperson of the European Commission Ana Pisonero said to Euronews Albania that the threat and intimidation of journalists is unacceptable.
"The 2020 Enlargement Package shows clearly the need to have zero tolerance for intimidation and threats against journalists and the media in the region.
"It is essential that journalists in Albania are able to do their job without being threatened by violence, attacks or intimidation, to ensure that citizens have access to information," is said in the EC post.
Meanwhile, in a Twitter post, the Delegation of the European Union in Albania reiterates the same stance, demanding that journalists in Albania be able to do their job without any threat of violence, harassment, and intimidation so that citizens have access to all information.
Three days ago, two journalists' associations called on the authorities to bring to justice the police officers who obstructed and violated Ora News journalist Xhoi Malësia.
Through a Facebook post, the "Association of Professional Journalists of Albania" and the "League of Journalists of Albania" expressed their indignation at the police violence against journalist Malësia while he was reporting on Thursday's protest, held for the murder of 25-year-old Klodian Rasha.
Malësia was reportedly obstructed, violated and unjustly escorted to the police while on duty.