Actual Attack on Journalist Simon Shkreli 06/01/2022, Shkodra

Tirana •︎ 07/01/2022

Actual Attack on Journalist Simon Shkreli 06/01/2022, Shkodra

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Gender
    Male
  • Victim(s) name
    Simon Shkreli

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    TV Rozafa dhe ABC News
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
    Printed Media
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://abcnews.al/renea-zbarkon-ne-shkoder-harron-bandat-dhe-dhunon-gazetarin-e-abc-ne-sy-te-femijeve/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    06.01.2022
  • City
    Shkoder
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    Authorities - individuals
  • Type of incident
    Actual attacks on journalists

  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

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

Simon Shkreli, journalist of local media outlet TV Rozafa and reporter for ABC News, a 24-hour news outlet, was walking with his 8 year old son and 4 year old daughter in his home town of Shkodra when he noticed state Police and RENEA (special police forces) conducting controls in the area. He put on his journalist badge and started filming with his smartphone. Only after about 30 seconds, one of the Police officers in civilian clothing told Shkreli to stop filming and to remove his phone. Shkreli mentioned he was a journalist, pointed to his badge and stated that he was doing his job as a journalist. Shkreli told Safe Journalists Network that the Director of Shkodra Police and the Chief of Shkodra Police Station recognized him but asked him to approach their car mentioning that RENEA forces did not know he was a journalist. Shkreli insisted he had a badge on as media staff. Then one of the RENEA Officers grabbed him and removed his media badge while using denigrating language. All this happened in front of his children who were scared, shocked and crying. The Police and RENEA forces got into their cars and left.

Shkreli told Safe Journalists Network that after the incident he informed his editor and director of information and reported the case in the Shkodra Police Director where he met with two Officers of the Internal Affairs and Complaints Services of the State Police, who received him very well. Shkreli also talked about the incident with the State Police spokesperson.

Regarding this incident, the State Police has reacted later that night (6th January) confirming that the General Director of the State Police has immediately ordered the Directorate of Professional Standards in the State Police, to start verifying the actions of the officers in Shkodra. Also, the Internal Affairs and Complaints Services of the State Police have initiated an internal investigation about the incident. The declaration of the State Police condemns the act and reiterates that will take measures for any overstepping in the exercise of duty by the employees of the State Police towards media staff.