Actual attack on journalist Lorena Resulaj, 20.11.2024, Roskovec

Translations: Tirana 

Video footage showing an incident of physical violence against journalist Lorena Resulaj, who represents the “Piranja” investigative show, has been shared on the show’s social media platforms. In this footage, unidentified individuals physically prevented Resulaj from carrying out her work and forcibly removed her while she was questioning Roskovec Mayor Majlinda Bufi.

The footage clearly shows that Mayor Bufi did not intervene to stop the aggression against the journalist.

Safe Journalist condemns the act and expresses full solidarity with Resulaj. At the same time, we call on Mayor Bufi to distance herself from this serious act of interference in journalistic duties and urges that such incidents should not be repeated.

We will submit a request for information to the Municipality of Roskovec to obtain further details about this incident. At the same time, we have reached out to the journalist to inquire whether the case has been reported to the relevant authorities.

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Lorena Resulaj explained for SJN Albania: “As for the case, this morning I was near the premises of the Municipality of Roskovec, waiting for the mayor, Majlinda Bufi, to arrive so I could interview her about a matter we are covering on the show. The mayor arrived by car and parked in the underground parking lot of the municipality. I went there and entered the parking lot. There were no signs indicating that unauthorized persons were not allowed to enter, and more importantly, this was a state institution, meaning I was not entering private property.

As soon as I entered, a woman came up to me, followed by a man who appeared on the video. I don’t know either of them. The man pushed me forcefully and tried to drag me out while they were closing the garage/parking gate. I was left in the parking lot for several seconds, alone with these municipal employees, who kept asking me who I was and why I didn’t have a logo. I introduced myself as Lorena from the Piranjat show, but they kept asking why I didn’t have a badge, while at the same time forcefully preventing me from approaching the mayor. The mayor saw the whole situation unfold and never asked the individuals involved to stop. She herself asked for my name and logo, a badge just like them, claiming that I was violating the institution, when, in fact, I was the one being violated.

When I was about to ask her the question regarding the matter I came for, the mayor left, and the man again forcefully held me back to prevent me from following Majlinda Bufi. After that, I went up to the door of the municipality, this time with a badge, but still, no one allowed me inside, claiming that I needed to submit a written request.

I then filed a complaint with the police regarding the man. The police took my statement and informed me that the materials would be referred to the prosecutor’s office. This is a recurring situation for our show with the Municipality of Roskovec. In the past, as seen in the video we posted on social media, municipal employees have also forcibly detained journalists, preventing them from carrying out their duties. Mayor Majlinda Bufi had previously filed a lawsuit against Piranjat and Syri TV a year ago. In the civil lawsuit, Bufi sought compensation for damage to her personality and reputation and demanded that all audio and video materials from our investigation regarding her be removed.”