Two persons physically attacked journalist of Report TV Elvis Hila and his wife on Wednesday, 25th January in Lezhë, Abania.

Elvis Hila had reported for Report TV and shqiptarja.com on a court decision in Lezha. Following his reporting, two persons physically attacked him and his wife Benereta Hila, who was hit in the head by the perpetrators while trying to intervene and pick up the phone that had fallen due to the attack. The journalist sustained fractures due to the violence and went to the hospital together with his wife. After that, they reported the incident to the police.

The police reacted regarding the attack. Specialists for the Investigation of Crimes at the Lezhë Police Station announced the search for the two perpetrators.

This is not the first time that Hila is exposed to attacks due to his work as a journalist. SafeJournalist Network reacted in 2020 about unlawful detention of Elvis Hila by the police.

“This is a very serious case against a local journalist, made worse because his wife is a victim as well, but also because it is an indication of the difficulties journalists face in reporting issues related to crime or organised crime. On the other hand, the swift reaction of the authorities and public solidarity and support to Elvis Hila are appreciated” – Blerjana Bino, Safe Journalists Network in Albania.

SafeJournalists Network, representing more than 8,200 media professionals in the Western Balkans, condemns this case, and calls upon competent authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. We call upon competent bodies to ensure the safety of journalists.

SafeJournalists network will inform all relevant national and international stakeholders about the latest case.

Each attack on journalists is an attack on public interest, democracy and rights of all citizens.

Belgrade – Podgorica – Pristina – Sarajevo – Skopje – Zagreb, 26.01.2023

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