News24 Blockade/ The state building will be turned into a weapons factory. The television's claims

The broadcast of the major news television station News 24 has been completely disrupted, with dozens of State Police officers surrounding the building and forcibly cutting off the electricity and consequently the signal.

The media outlet owned by entrepreneur Irfan Hysenbelliu is in a total "blackout", because for two hours the broadcast has been completely stopped, while the many journalists who work at this television station and other newsrooms part of the "Focus Media Group" have been left on the streets.

These buildings also house the editorial offices of “BalkanWeb”, the newspaper “Panorama” and “Gazeta Shqiptare”. Present and at the head of this operation is the former chief of police of Albania and currently the head of the “KAYO” company, Ardi Veliu.

He claims that the television buildings belong to "KAYO" and one of the reasons for the attack on these buildings is the fact that they will be turned into a weapons production factory, by the first Albanian weapons production company.

"This is a direct attack on the constitutional right to information and on freedom of the press, which constitutes the foundation of any democracy. Today's event sets a dangerous precedent for silencing critical voices and establishing control over public information."

"We urgently call on political parties, civil society, media organizations and foreign embassies in Tirana to react immediately and stop this violent act, guaranteeing the immediate restoration of broadcasting and full respect for free speech," the television statement said.

Earlier today, the Journalists' Association of Albania also expressed alarm over the incident. The organization says that this alarming action constitutes a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of democracy and freedom of expression, guaranteed by the Albanian Constitution and international human rights instruments.

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