PRISTINA, 19.03.2021 – The Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK, with concern has received the news of threats and obstruction towards the KALLXO.com team, journalists Arbisa Shefiku and the cameraman, Denis Sllovinja in Rahovec by Mehdi Shehu and another person.
The team was threatened three days ago while they were shooting near the tekke “Shejh Iljazi Rifai”, regarding the case of a parking lot that the municipality has given permission to use this space to Mehdi Shehu, without the consent of the residents and the Municipal Assembly.
As soon as they started filming the parking lot, the journalist and the cameraman were threatened by a person who came out of the tekke and addressed them with the words: “Be aware, you may enjoy living because you are still young”. After this threat, Mehdi Shehu, came out and obstructed the team by not allowing them to film by saying that they don’t have a permission.
The case was reported to the Kosovo Police and after receiving the statements of the team, the prosecutor of the case, Anton Hasanaj, closed the case and stated that there are no elements of a criminal offense. The closing of the case by the prosecutor, according to KALLXO.com, came without reading the statements of the journalists, without evaluating the evidence and only by phone.
However, according to their reports, the case continues to be investigated by police units, who have notified the prosecutor.
For AJK, such actions toward journalists and media professionals who are doing their duty, puts pressure on them. Threats, obstruction and other forms of intimidation of our colleagues have recently increased and this is threatening the safety of journalists, their independent reporting and the general freedom of the media in Kosovo.
AJK calls on the competent authorities to take action against the behavior of these two persons who have threatened and obstructed the KALLXO.com team.