Cases

Editor-in-chief of daily newspaper Zeri, Arbana Xharra received death threat through facebook by Ebu Duxhane who posted a photo of a beheaded man related to Syria war. Duxhane also wrote “You should know that we can find you” and “We know how much you love your children”. Police is investigating the case.

Association of Journalists of Kosovo is concerned on a Facebook post by general director of Radiotelevision of Kosovo, Mentor Shala attacking the Independent Union of RTK. AJK considers that the used language by Shala present an offence and threat against the employees of public broadcaster, including our members that work in this media. AJK was informed by employees of public media that Shala’s reaction comes after separate meetings of Union leaders with Kosovo Parliament…

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo opposes the lynching campaign of political partu Self-determination against the general director of RTK, Mentor Shala and editor-in-chief, Ridvan Berisha. Unfortunately, this political party that aims to come to power, for months already is lynching publicly the heads of RTK. We expected that Self-determination will reflect after several mistakes that it did in the recent months by accusing, lynching or threatening the journalists.

Journalist of Kohavision, Xhemajl Rexha, was insulted and accused by Kosovo’s ambassador to Italy, Alma Lama who posted in her Facebook profile reactions against a story related to her appointment as ambassador.

Senada Halimi who used to work for daily newspaper Zëri told AJK that she was fired from her job just few days after the management understood about her pregnancy.

AJK reacted towards the decision of RTK management to lower the position of editor Arsim Halili, to five grades lower. This move came after Halili posted a sarcastic sentence in his Facebook account related to the delay of visa liberalization for Kosovo.

Journalist of Gazeta Express, Leonard Kerquki received several death threats after he published the documentary which was about post-war murders in Kosovo.

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo is concerned about the information provided by colleague from Radio television of Kosovo, Ridvan Berisha who said he is feeling insecure from the recent lynchings coming from political party Self-determination.

Association of Journalists of Kosovo was informed that Dibran Istrefi, journalist of television Klan Kosova was arrested during his working time. The journalist was arrested despite holding the accreditation in visible place. Istrefi was following a protest in Pristina. He was later released.

Association of Journalists of Kosovo condemned the bomb attack that targeted the home of Mentor Shala, general director general of Radio television of Kosovo. The attack occurred during the high political tensions in the country in which the public broadcaster was criticized for taking pro-government side. Fortunately, no one was hurt due to this attack.

The public broadcaster, Radio television of Kosovo was attacked by a hand grenade. Two attacks against the public broadcaster marked this year as the most violent cases against media and journalists. On August 22nd, 2016, a hand grenade exploded near the building of the RTK. The attacks occurred during the high political tensions in the country.

AJK was informed that Kosovo Police in Podujeva town has prevented in his job the journalist of news agency Kosova Press, Eduard Haliti. Policemen have asked from Haliti to delete the footage he was recording during the police action in city center. Haliti was recording while a policeman was trying to arrest a citizen. AJK considers that Kosovo Police shouldn’t prevent the journalist from his job even though the journalist exposed the identification card as well as the badge…

Saranda Ramaj from Koha Ditore newspaper was not allowed by the head of Kosovo’s Medicines Agency, Jeton Shala, to report on the day Prime Minister Isa Mustafa was visiting the agency. Ramaj had previously written several articles about the wrongdoings in the medicines agency led by Shala.

Journalist Vehbi Kajtazi reported to the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, that he has received a threat by Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa. Kajtazi said he had a received a phone call, through Viber, by PM Mustafa after he published a story that was related to the PM’s brother. The story was related to the 2015 mass migration from Kosovo to western European countries, in which he reported that the PM’s brother was one of the many Kosovars seeking asylum in Germany. The PM…

Owner of “Ambienti-G” Company, Gani Mlinaku has threatened through telephone editor Zekirja Shabani and journalist Gentiana Hasani of portal Gazeta Fjala. Mlinaku asked Shabani to remove the article related to his company or otherwise he will settle things physically.

On February 11th, 2016 journalist of Kohavision, Adriatik Kelmendi reported the damage of his private vehicle. He found all tires flat. He reported the case to police.

Journalist Musa Sabedini was physically assaulted by director of Gjilan hospital because the latter was not satisfied with articles.

Uran Haxha journalist of Koha.net informed the Association of Journalists of Kosovo that he was not allowed by the Mayor of Suhareka, Sali Asllanaj to participate in the municipality’s end of year press conference. On December 23, 2015, Mayor Sali Asllanaj, through his spokesperson, did not allow journalist to attend the press conference of the year, but neither have access to the municipal building, because Haxha did not reflected the real work of the municipality in his…

On 23.12.2015 Brahim Thaqi a journalist of TherandaPost portal was not allowed by the Mayor of Suhareka, Sali Asllanaj to attend the end of year media conference organized by the municipality. Mayor Asllanaj, through his spokesperson did not allow the journalist to attend the press conference but neither have access to the municipal building, because he did not reflect the real work of the municipality in his articles.

AJK is concerned with the information that unknown persons have threatened with life the journalist Driton Latifi. The latter has received three verbal threats through SMS over the last three days, related to his work as journalist covering sports.