Albanian TV Station Guard Shot Dead in Mystery Killing

Albanian Police building. Photo: EPA-EFE/MALTON DIBRA

Unidentified gunmen early on Monday shot dead a 60-year-old security guard at the premises of national television station Top Channel, Albanian police announced. The event happened under unclear circumstances, they said.

Media reported that a car was later found burnt at another location, allegedly belonging to the gunman\gunmen. "As a result of the shooting, a security guard, citizen P. K., 60 years old… lost his life," police said in a press statement.

"Police Services have set up checkpoints and the work to identify and catch the perpetrators continues," they added.

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, ECPMF, issued a statement on Monday expressing shock.

"We are shocked to learn that there has been a firearm attack on the premises of Top Channel in Albania, which killed a security guard at the facility. We express our condolences to the family and call on Albanian authorities to conduct independent & professional investigations," it said.

President Bajram Begaj called the shooting a "serious event" and urged institutions to clarify it.

"A really serious event in the early hours of the morning, where the building of the national television Top Channel was shot at with a gun, and as a result the security guard Pal Kola lost his life. As I express my condolences to the family of Mr Kola, I encourage law enforcement agencies to clarify this criminal event as soon as possible," Begaj declared.

Prime Minister Edi Rama also condemned the killing and said "it requires a clear answer from law enforcement agencies".

Ilir Meta, former president and head of the opposition Freedom Party, also reacted. "Crime victims are neither far away or...