The murder of media owner Kastriot Reçi on 7 January 2020 has been reported as a threat to media freedom by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) to the Council of Europe Threats to Media Freedom platform.
Reçi, the owner of Media Plus-TV in Rreshen was shot by a sniper outside his property in broad daylight at the beginning of the month.
The report to the CoE notes that on the same day, Albanian police issued a statement announcing his murder, stating that he was killed in “unclear circumstances” and that a “team of investigators is working to identify the authors of this crime”.
The ECPMF noted that the police failed to mention that Reçi was the owner of a local media company.
Considering the current climate for media freedom in Albania and the intertwining of politics, media, and pressures exerted on both owners and journalists, this fact should not be overlooked.
Calling for an “immediate, thorough and independent investigation” the ECPMF ask that the perpetrators of the crime be brought to justice.
Deputy Minister of the Interior Besfort Lamallari told ABC News yesterday that the State Police are close to solving the murder.
“I am convinced that the officers who are dealing with the issue, but also with others, in a short time will clarify the case.” Lamallari did not refer to the fact that Reci was a media owner and Albanian media is reporting the murder as being linked to organised crime.
