News24 journalist Klevin Muka was injured while reporting on today's protest in Tirana after being splashed by water released by a police van.
In a reaction, the Association of Professional Journalists of Albania stated that Muka suffered severe skin irritation, with signs resembling first-degree burns.
Following the incident, the Albanian Association of Public Defenders of Albania (AAPJA) has demanded full transparency from the State Police on the composition of the substance used in the autobot, as well as the tear gas. The association says that the use of these agents is being reported to have caused symptoms of injury not only to media workers, but also to protesters.
Full statement:
The State Police should be transparent about the composition of the cases it files in protest
The Association of Professional Journalists of Albania (SHGPSH-APJA) expresses solidarity with journalist Klevin Muka of TV News 24, who suffered visible skin irritation on his body, with features of a first-degree burn, after being soaked by water released by a Police van, while reporting on today's protest in Tirana.
It is scandalous that journalists are injured while informing the public. This is a situation that continues to be repeated. We demand from the State Police an official explanation and full transparency on the composition of the substance thrown by the autobot, as well as the tear gas, the use of which is reportedly causing symptoms of injury to media workers and protesters.
We wish our colleague Klevin Muka a speedy recovery and express our support for all journalists who have been reporting for 12 days in difficult conditions, repeatedly exposed to tear gas and other means used by the police.
The transparency of the State Police is an obligation, not a choice. Violating the security of the media violates the public's right to be informed.
