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Investigative Journalist Beaten In Kosovo


Vehbi Kajtazi has been attacked and threatened in the past but "unfortunately some of these cases have not yet been resolved."
Vehbi Kajtazi has been attacked and threatened in the past but "unfortunately some of these cases have not yet been resolved."

A prominent investigative journalist in Kosovo has been attacked and beaten in the capital, Pristina.

Journalist Vehbi Kajtazi, who runs the website Insajderi, was attacked in a cafe on October 13. Local media posted photographs of Kajtazi with bruises and cuts on his face.

Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj condemned the attack, saying violence against journalists was unacceptable.

The Association of Kosovo Journalists called on police to investigate the case thoroughly, noting that Kajtazi had been attacked and threatened in the past but "unfortunately some of these cases have not yet been resolved."

Insajderi reported that a suspect named Faton Ramadani had been detained by police and said the attack was retaliation for the website's reporting on lawmaker Milaim Zeka.

Two months ago, Insajderi editor Parim Olluri was attacked outside his Pristina home.

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie posted on Twitter that "it is really unfortunate that journalists in Kosovo are still being physically attacked."

Based on reporting by Balkan Insider and Reuters

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