TIRANA, May 10 – The 29-year-old president of an Albanian football club has been arrested after physically attacking a journalist in downtown Tirana. Police say Alban Vogli, the president of Kruja-based Kastrioti football club in the Albanian First Division was arrested on Tuesday after severely assaulting sports journalist Eduard Ilnica, 41, on Monday night. The assaulted journalist said he was beaten because of an article depicting violence by the Kastrioti president in the away match with Korabi in Peshkopija last weekend. The match was marred by violence after Korabi beat Katrioti 1-0 to lead Group A of the First Division that could promote them to the Superliga next season.
“I was assaulted because of my duty and exactly because of an article depicting violence in the Peshkopi stadium. In one case I identified the Kastrioti President punching on the pitch. I was ambushed by this person in a bar and and there were 5 or 6 other people with him who attacked me for more than 2 minutes,” said the assaulted journalist.
Local media published pictures of the journalist covered in bruises after he was hit with sharp objects.
Journalists and politicians condemned the violence.
Violence and incidents in football matches have become quite frequent in Albania recently but there have been no other incidents involving journalists.
Freedom of the press declined in Albania last year despite maintaining its partly free status, according to U.S. based watchdog Freedom House. Albania ranked 106th out of 195 countries with a score of 51 points, losing eight positions from the previous year in the latest Freedom House report.
