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Albanian newspaper editor beaten, prime minister condemns attack

By: Llazar Semini, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

3/11/2009 9:20 AM | Comments: 0

TIRANA, Albania - A prominent journalist and newspaper editor has been hospitalized after being beaten, police said, in an incident condemned by the country's government and the United States embassy here.

Mero Baze, editor of the TemA independent newspaper, has become increasingly critical of conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Berisha on Tuesday strongly condemned the attack, which he described as a "shameful, grave and unacceptable act to the free society."

A colleague of Baze who was present during the incident said he had been beaten unconscious. Andi Bushati said Baze was punched and kicked by his attackers for up to five minutes.

Police said two bodyguards of an Albanian businessman, Rezart Taci, had been detained over the incident that occurred late Monday in the capital Tirana.

In recent months, Baze's newspaper has repeatedly accused Taci of failing to pay adequate taxes following his company's purchase last year of an 85-per cent stake in former state oil company ARMO.

Taci could not be reached for comment, but local media reports said he has denied any involvement in the beating.

The Union of the Albanian Journalists urged the government to assist police inquiries.

"Such acts demonstrate that the Albanian journalist is under threat from violence and criminal brutality at every moment," a union statement said.

In January, the government evicted Baze's newspaper from its offices, saying it wanted to use the facility as a passport office.

Albanian journalists frequently complain of harassment by authorities.

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana said it was "appalled" by the assault.

"Physical attacks on journalists and other forms of media intimidation cast a shadow over freedom of the press. All forms of pressure and intimidation of the media are unacceptable," an embassy statement said.

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