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Albania PM Condemns Journalist's Assault
Tirana | 03 November 2009 |
Mero Baze
“The assault of journalist Mero Baze on Monday, in one of the bars of the capital, is a grave and ugly act; unacceptable for a free society,” the statement read.
Berisha called on law enforcement authorities to bring the culprits before justice.
“Ill-treatment and pressure against journalists its grave and unacceptable for the Albanian government,” the statement added.
The assault was also condemned by the US Embassy in Tirana. “The United States Embassy was appalled by the assault of journalist Mero Baze on November 2,” the embassy said in a statement.
“Physical attacks on journalists and other forms of media intimidation cast a shadow over freedom of the press [and] all forms of pressure and intimidation of the media are unacceptable,” the statement added.
Baze was severely beaten on Monday evening by Taci and his bodyguards in a bar in the center of Tirana, in the presence of two other journalist and dozens of witnesses.
The assault was also condemned by the opposition Socialist leader Edi Rama and the Socialist Movement for Integration- a left wing party that forms part of Berisha's coalition government.
