Albania
Editor beatenPosted Nov 18 2009
Albanian journalist Mero Baze was badly beaten in a bar in Tirana on Nov. 2. He spent the night in the hospital and was released the following morning. Baze edits the newspaper Tema and hosts the TV show Faktor Plus.
Two witnesses, Andi Bushati, a political commentator and Arban Hasani, of Vizion Plus TV, testified to the assault on Baze and said Rezart Taci and his bodyguards attacked Baze. Baze also confirmed that Taci was responsible for the attack in an email to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Taci is a prominent business man, owning the oil refinery ARMO, and has ties to Prime Minister Sali Berisha (although Berisha has condemned the attack according to Balkan Insight). Baze had recently criticized Taci and accused him of tax evasion.
Two suspects have been arrested. Taci has denied participating in Baze’s beating in an e-mail he sent to the CPJ. However, Reuters reported that the Tirana District Court has ordered his arrest.
More information
- Reporters Without Borders
- Committee to Protect Journalists
- Balkan Insight