Pristina, 12 April 2023 – The Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj condemns the physical attack on journalist Valon Syla, who was attacked by unknown persons shortly after his television appearance.

Syla was attacked late Tuesday evening in the Bregu i Diellit neighborhood in Pristina. He reported that he was attacked by three persons and suffered head injuries and received medical treatment.

The Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj said that this attack is unacceptable and its a violation of freedom of expression and media freedom in Kosovo. Verbal or physical attacks on journalists, threats through social networks or in any other form, violate the constitutional rights for the safety of journalists and media.

The Ombudsperson draws attention to the need for effective protection of journalists from any form of security breach and obstruction of the free exercise of the profession. Mr. Qelaj invites the competent bodies to investigate and shed light on this case, and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice