TIRANA, March 8 – The head of of an online news outlet, Citynews.al, was attacked Wednesday in Tirana by two unknown assailants and heavily beaten.
Elvi Fundo told authorities that two unidentified persons followed him, pushed him to the ground and beat him up violently at the “Stacioni i Trenit” area.
Fundo was sent to the Military Hospital for treatment. Doctors said that Fundo will remain in hospital for few more days.
The circumstances of the incident are still unclear while the attack has received condemnation by local and international organizations.
The Albanian Authority of Audio-Visual Media (AMA) issued a statement, expressing its concern “over the brutal attack of reporter Elvi Fundo.” AMA urged authorities to identify and detain the assailants as soon as possible.
“We consider this act a direct threat to media and free speech. Fundo is known for his critical stance to developments in the country. The public assault of a media employee is saddening and alarming to the country’s democracy,” the statement read.
Prime Minister Edi Rama took to social media to condemn the attack against the Citynews journalist.
“I strongly condemn the act of violence against journalist Elvi Fundo. Light must be shed on this criminal act as soon as possible,” Rama said, adding that he feels “disgusted by the way Democratic Party is politicizing the barbaric attack.”
Democratic Party said it condemned the attack on Fundo and described it as a “strike against freedom of speech and freedom of the press at a time when Rama’s government has taken a united front in blackmailing and threatening media to eliminate free speech.”
International organizations such as Freedom House and Reporters Without Borders have repeatedly expressed concern about media freedom in Albania. They have noted that reporters and media in general face “significant” pressure from government officials and businesses.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the attack.
“I trust the authorities will swiftly investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice,” Mijatović said.
