The SafeJournalists Network strongly condemns the recent series of violent attacks and threats against journalists in Albania. Within just over one week, three separate incidents have been registered, marking an alarming escalation of violence and intimidation targeting journalists.
On September 13, 2025, journalist Edon Kuçi and a cameraman from the investigative TV show Piranjat were attacked while reporting at the Selman Stërmasi stadium in Tirana. Kuçi was verbally threatened with kidnapping by Sinan Idrizi, majority shareholder of Air Albania and president of FC Flamurtari, as seen on video footage. During the same incident, Refik Halili, president of FC Tirana, forcibly seized Kuçi’s phone, directly interfering with his journalistic work as reported by the journalist and seen on video footage.
On September 11, 2025, journalist Lorena Resulaj and cameraman Nertil Mataj were physically assaulted while reporting at a bar on Islam Alla street in Tirana. The bar owner allegedly threatened and punched both media workers after they refused to leave while reporting. Police later arrested the suspect and the case was forwarded to the prosecution for further investigation.
On September 5, 2025, journalists Domenika Bajraktari and Enkel Elezi of the investigative TV program STOP were attacked in Kamëz while filming a story of public interest. The assault directly obstructed their professional duties and prevented them from reporting. The perpetrator was arrested and then left on obligation to appear by the court.
The SafeJournalists Network welcomes the swift action of the police in two cases, arresting the perpetrators of the attacks. However, we demand the same determination and accountability when powerful actors are involved, such as in the case of threats and intimidation against Kuçi and the Piranjat team. These repeated acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and represent a direct interference with journalistic work, as well as a violation of citizens’ right to be informed on matters of public interest.
The SafeJournalists Network calls on the Albanian authorities to conduct immediate, thorough, and independent investigations into all three incidents and ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and held accountable without delay, including when influential and powerful actors are involved. We further urge institutions to provide follow-up and protection measures for journalists who have been attacked or threatened. It is vital to strengthen institutional mechanisms for the protection of journalists and to guarantee safe access for journalists to public spaces and events without obstruction or intimidation. In this regard, we reiterate our call for the establishment of a fast-track rapid response mechanism to ensure that journalists under threat receive immediate and effective protection.
The SafeJournalists Network stands in full solidarity with our colleagues Edon Kuçi, Lorena Resulaj, Nertil Mataj, Domenika Bajraktari, and Enkel Elezi.
Every attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, the public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Tirana – Prishtina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, September 15, 2025
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
