Actual attack on journalists Armando Varfi and Marsi Korreshi, Tirana, 07.05.2026

Tirana •︎ Posted on

Actual attack on journalists Armando Varfi and Marsi Korreshi, Tirana, 07.05.2026

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Group
  • Group members' names and surnames
    Armando Varfi & Marsi Korreshi
  • Number of women in group
    1
  • Number of men in group
    1

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    SYRI TV
  • Type of media platform
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://agsh.al/2026/05/09/agsh-shpreh-shqetesim-pas-incidentit-me-ekipin-e-syri-tv-gjate-protestes/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    09.05.2026
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    Security staff or agencie(s)
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    In person
  • Type of incident
    Actual attacks on journalists
  • Type of attack
    Physical attack without physical injury

  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly

During the Democratic Party protest in Tirana on 8 May 2026, clashes broke out between protesters and the State Police. While covering the protest live, the Syri TV media crew was directly affected by the police water cannon. According to AGSH, the pressurized water hit the camera, cameraman Armando Varfi, and journalist Marsi Korreshi, who was reporting from the scene.

The incident raised concerns about the physical safety of journalists and camera operators covering public protests, particularly when police use crowd-control measures such as water cannons at close range.

Journalist Marsi Korreshi of Syri TV told SafeJournalists Albania that she was hit twice by pressurized water at very close range, directed toward her face. She said that the second impact came unexpectedly and caused her to fall to the ground.

Korreshi stated that all colleagues covering the protest were exposed to heavy water, but that in her case she was unable to protect herself at the time and fell.

 

Case Update:

Albanian State Police expressed regret that journalist Marsi Korreshi was affected by the use of a water cannon while reporting from the 8 May 2026 protest. According to the Police, the measure was aimed at individuals attacking law enforcement officers, and journalists were not the intended target. The Police stated that the actions were carried out in line with standard procedures and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting journalists’ rights and safety. Read the full statement here: https://safejournalists.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Police-Response-Tirana.doc