Firearm attack against RTV 21 team, Leposaviq, 02.06.2023

Firearm attack against RTV 21 team, Leposaviq, 02.06.2023

Translations: Pristina 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Pristina
  • Who was attacked?
    Group
  • Group members' names and surnames
    Venhar Isufi dhe Olti Pacolli
  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    RTV21
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
  • Source of information about the incident
    RTV21
  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    02.06.2023
  • City
    Leposaviq
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Not known
  • Attacked by
    (ordinary) citizens
  • Type of incident
    life_threat
  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) has received news with concern that the team of RTV 21 has been followed by masked individuals in Leposaviq.

Journalist Venhar Isufi, along with camera operator Olti Pacolli, were initially hindered while performing their professional duties. According to Isufi, they were threatened and asked to leave the scene.

“We were prevented from filming the negotiations between the former mayor of Leposaviq, Zoran Todiq, and KFOR officials,” he stated.

“We attempted to approach and record what was happening, and we were threatened by the same individuals, who told us to leave and not use our cameras. After 15 minutes, we started following the event, and a masked person with a firearm appeared and remained there.”

According to the RTV 21 team, this incident has also been reported to the Kosovo Police.

For AJK, the security of the teams reporting from the northern part of the country remains concerning, and they call on the Kosovo Police, KFOR, and EULEX to create better conditions for them.