Former head of SHISH, Vlora Hyseni, was involved today in a controversy with journalist Klodiana Lala at the entrance to the GJKKO premises before being introduced to the security measure “house arrest”.
Asked by journalist Klodiana Lala about her connections with Ergys Agas, she replied: “Klod, how do you get on with meetings with Serbian agents in the rooms of the Rogner Hotel?”
Afterwards, the former head of SHISH did not answer journalists why Albin Kurti had fired her and whether she had any comments about this, but entered the premises of the GJKKO.
Immediately after this statement, journalist Klodjana Lala reacted in a live broadcast, calling it a vulgar attack and blackmail:
“He has chosen to counterattack with vulgar language against journalists by blackmailing them for meetings in various hotels,” said Klodiana Lala in a live link.
“Which meetings Vlora Hyseni is referring to remains to be clarified when it comes out, but it was a strong accusation and blackmail against journalists,” said journalist Lala.
Meanwhile, the Journalists’ Association of Albania has reacted to this incident at the GJKKO premises. In its public reaction, AGSH condemns Hyseni’s statements and asks her to immediately retract them, while calling on SPAK to treat the episode seriously.
“The Journalists’ Association of Albania condemns in the strongest terms the blackmail and attacks by SPAK suspect, former head of SHISH Vlora Hyseni, against journalist Klodiana Lala,” the reaction states.
According to AGSH, persons under investigation must be held accountable before justice, while pressure or blackmail against journalists cannot be tolerated.
“Any suspect in the justice system must be held accountable only before justice, while blackmail against journalists cannot be tolerated,” the statement continues.
The Association also asks Hysen to retract the statements and urges the Special Structure to review the case.
“AGSH calls on Ms. Hyseni to immediately withdraw her statements, while we urge the Special Structure to look seriously at this episode of blackmail on her part against a journalist,” the reaction concludes.
Following AGSH, the Union of Albanian Journalists also reacted, writing: “Blackmailing or detaining journalists on duty is not only a reprehensible act, but also demonstrates a climate that is anti-freedom for reporting and professional courage.”
Two episodes that occurred today in the public life of our capital, Tirana, bring back to the attention of public opinion the problematic relationship between the state police and reporters in the field.
UGSH expresses its indignation at the escorting of journalist Vjolanda Peca, who reports for Citizens.al, while she was reporting on the protest that took place today in front of the Albanian Parliament, where citizens were gathered. The escorting of the journalist, (a case repeated in previous days), as well as her detention, constitutes a violation and infringement of the role that the reporter has in the line of duty.
UGSH addresses the Minister of Interior Ervin Demo and the Director General of Police Skënder Hita, requesting that this case be clarified and that such episodes with reporters not be repeated.
Such cases are being included in all periodic reports of international organizations and institutions that index freedom of reporting and media in the world and the region.
The second episode concerns the direct accusation made on camera by many media outlets by the accused former official against News24 journalist Klodiana Lala.
UGSH considers the statement of the former head of the State Intelligence Service, Vlora Hyseni, addressed to journalist Klodiana Lala in the conditions of an interrogated defendant, as blackmail and a disturbing statement, which exposes the fact of the surveillance of journalists in Albania.
The accusation against the journalist for meetings with Serbian spies should be part of a clarification process by the investigation bodies, to exclude any such abuse or public blackmail by officials or former high-ranking state officials. Such statements carry the value of an attack on the journalist’s integrity even when they come from persons under accusation and as holders of a status as a former head of the intelligence service. As such, this accusatory statement against the journalist, from the former official under investigation and accused of serious abuses, should be clarified and clarified transparently and completely on legal grounds, without giving room for any abuse and injury to the integrity of her colleague. / Top Channel