Physical attack towards the journalist, Valon Syla, Prishtinë, 22.11.2020

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    Country KO
    Name and Surname Valon Syla
    Gender Male
    Date 22/12/2020
    City / Location Pristina
    Type of incident Actual attacks on journalists
    By whom To journalists by citizens
    Type of media online
    Media name Gazeta Metro
    Source Facebook
    Legal closure Perpatrator is convicted
    Legal closure decision The Basic Court of Prishtina has announced the verdict against the accused B.J. for the criminal offense "Minor bodily injury". The accused was found guilty of this criminal offense and fined 4,500 (four thousand five hundred) euros, which he is obliged to pay within 15 days after the finality of this judgment, while the time spent in detention on remand, from 22.12.2020 until 06.01.2021, the accused B.J, will be counted in the sentence imposed.
    Was journalist`s association informed Yes
    What was journalists' association reaction The Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK, harshly condemns the physical attack towards the journalist Valon Syla. AJK calls upon the competent bodies to investigate the motifes of this attack and to shed light over this case, for which is a threat towards free speech and media. Each attack on journalists is an attack towards free speech and democracy.
    Were authorities informed? Case was reported to the police

    Journalist Valon Syla was physically assaulted today. In a video that went viral on social media, there is footage of Valon Syla being punched by an unknown person.

    Regarding the case, AJK has contacted Kosovo Police who has confirmed to have accepted the information about the attach towards the journalist.

    “At around 12:05 PM, we have been informed that the journalist was attacked in Pejton neighborhood. The Police unit arrived at the scene and contacted the journalist via phone, where he claimed that he doesn’t need medical treatment at the moment. We are working towards gathering further information” said Baki Kelani, the KP spokesperson.

    The Association of Journalists of Kosovo – AJK, harshly condemns the physical attack towards the journalist Valon Syla. AJK calls upon the competent bodies to investigate the motifes of this attack and to shed light over this case, for which is a threat towards free speech and media.

    Each attack on journalists is an attack towards free speech and democracy.

     

    Updates: The suspect reported to the police accompanied by a lawyer, was interviewed and put under 48-hour detention.