Other attacks against journalists, digital harassment against Afrovita Hysaj, 24/10/2023, Vlore

Tirana •︎ 24/10/2023

Other attacks against journalists, digital harassment against Afrovita Hysaj, 24/10/2023, Vlore

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Gender
    Female
  • Victim(s) name
    Afrovita Hysaj

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Channel 6+1 Vlora
  • Type of media platform
    Online Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    Union of Albanian Journalists

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    24.10.2023
  • City
    Vlora
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Type of incident
    life_threat

  • Action by the authorities

  • Court action
    DVP Vlora Specialists for the Investigation of Crimes at the Vlora Police Station have referred the materials to the Prosecutor's Office and the proceedings were carried out in a free state, for the criminal offense "Intimidation", citizen A. D., 57 years old, resident in Vlora after: Citizen A.H., 34 years old, resident in Vlora, a professional journalist, alleges that she was verbally threatened over the phone by this citizen, because of a news she published, regarding the case of the 26-year-old from the city of Vlora, which is suspected of being used in the narcotic substance by some citizens, 3 of the others who are suspected of having violent sexual behavior with him. Following the announcement of 22.10.2023, about the arrest of 2 citizens and the search for another citizen is announced, who are suspected of having violently committed sexual behavior with a 26-year-old woman in relation to me, the others, all have previously encouraged him to use the narcotic substance, we clarify that: Specialists for the Investigation of Crimes of the Vlora Police Station, under the direction of the prosecution, have continued the in-depth investigations of this case. In the following, the materials in the file "for the criminal offense of Encouraging foreign work" are referred to, also for the citizen V. K., 36 years old, resident in Vlora, and the following for the capture of his work. This citizen allegedly took the citizens O. T., A. C. and G. M., to encourage the 26-year-old to consume the narcotic substance. The material is referred to the Prosecution, for further reasons.

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    No

Earlier today, on October 24th, 2023, Channel 6+1 Vlora posted a status on their Facebook account that directly targeted journalist Afrovita Hysaj. The content of this status is highly unethical and undermines the journalist’s reputation and professionalism.

The language and vocabulary used in this status flagrantly violate the ethical standards of journalism. It publicly defames and targets a media professional, damaging public discourse and contravening the responsibilities of public communication. This incident represents an unprecedented attack on a local journalist by a media outlet.

SafeJournalists Albania strongly urges Channel 6+1 Vlora to promptly retract the statement and issue a public apology. We emphasize the importance of adhering to the principles of journalism ethics and the safeguarding of media personnel.

Updates on the case from the Police Directorate of Vlora:

Specialists from the Crime Investigation Department at the Vlora Police Station have referred the materials to the Prosecutor’s Office, and the proceedings were carried out in a fair manner for the criminal offense of “Intimidation”. Citizen A. D., a 57-year-old resident of Vlora, was involved in the case.

Citizen A.H., a 34-year-old professional journalist residing in Vlora, claimed that she was verbally threatened over the phone by this citizen due to an article she published concerning the case of a 26-year-old from the city of Vlora. The 26-year-old is suspected of being involved in drug use, along with three other individuals who are suspected of engaging in violent sexual behavior with him.

Following the announcement made on 22.10.2023 regarding the arrest of two suspects and the search for another in relation to a case involving the alleged violent sexual behavior toward a 26-year-old woman, as well as the encouragement of drug use by others, we would like to clarify the following:

Under the direction of the prosecution, the Crime Investigation Department at the Vlora Police Station has continued to conduct thorough investigations into this case.

The materials related to the criminal offense of “Encouraging drug abuse” are now being referred to regarding the citizen V. K., a 36-year-old resident of Vlora. Additionally, efforts are being made to locate and apprehend him.

This citizen is alleged to have influenced citizens O. T., A. C., and G. M. to encourage the 26-year-old to consume drugs.

The materials have been forwarded to the Prosecutor’s office for further investigation.