AGSH appeals GJKKO regulation to Constitutional Court, Myzyraj and Lala oppose restrictions on journalists

The Albanian Journalists Association, AGSH, has appealed to the Constitutional Court over the new regulation of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime.

During an interview on the “First Minute” program on News24, AGSH Chairman Isa Myzyraj said the new rules impose restrictions that take the process of covering court hearings many years back, to a time when everything was documented with pen and paper.

According to him, the ban on mobile phones and recording devices, together with the numerous procedures required to enter the courtroom, undermine the public interest and citizens’ right to be informed about proceedings involving former prime ministers, former ministers and the use of public funds.

Isa Myzyraj, AGSH chairman: The regulation contains numerous restrictions, as it bans mobile phones and recording devices. This takes us many years back, to a period when proceedings were followed with pen and paper. Entering the courtroom is also accompanied by a series of procedures. It affects the public interest and limits Albanians’ ability to obtain information about court proceedings involving people who have served as prime ministers or ministers and misused public funds.

Journalist Klodiana Lala described the regulation as an outright violation of the law, saying that it creates chaos and isolates GJKKO. She pointed out that she had followed the activities of this court even when it was called the Serious Crimes Court, and that at that time proceedings were monitored by cameras.

Klodiana Lala, journalist: The initiative signed by Judge Erjon Bani closes off and turns GJKKO into a bunker. Journalists are subjected to scanning and physical searches, while the law stipulates that court hearings are public, except in certain cases.

Cases of public interest, involving figures from the business world and organized crime, must be reported. Under the regulation, we have to complete a form for every hearing. I follow up to 10 court proceedings a day at GJKKO, so this makes my work more difficult and directly obstructs it. Another problem is that a journalist must report the truth, but is not a witness in the court proceedings.

GJKKO did not consult journalists about these changes, even though it was the media that placed this court at the center of attention. We understand that caution must be exercised in certain cases, for example when state secrets or minors are involved, and we have never violated these rules.

But when Sali Berisha, Ilir Meta, Erion Veliaj or Belinda Balluku appear in court, the public must have transparency. This regulation was approved precisely now, when political figures are involved in court proceedings. I will follow the trials as a citizen and not as a journalist. Mr. Bani should reconsider and withdraw this unlawful regulation.