The car of journalist and publisher from Bulqiza, Sami Curri, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Sunday, in an incident that authorities are investigating as deliberate arson.
According to the Dibra police, the incident occurred at around 02:58 on April 26, when a Ford Fiesta vehicle caught fire while parked near the journalist's apartment.
Authorities said an investigative group, under the direction of the prosecutor's office, is working to identify the perpetrators and document the circumstances of the case.
"The investigative group, under the direction of the Prosecutor's Office, is intensively pursuing actions to clarify and legally document the case, identify and hold the perpetrators legally accountable, as deliberate arson is initially suspected," the police stated.
Curri said he was notified by neighbors about the fire a few minutes earlier and that the car was about 30 meters from the building he lives in. He added that the flames did not cause damage to other vehicles parked nearby.
The journalist linked the incident to his professional activity, suggesting that the arson was intended to intimidate him due to his reporting on local issues in Debar.
"This thing is intentional and is totally intended to bring a message to me and the work I do," he said.
"But first, I tell you that those who have committed this act will not be able to threaten or intimidate me, because for me journalism is a mission that serves the public interest and will continue at any cost," Curri added.
With about a decade of experience in journalism, Curri runs the local media outlet "Bulqiza ime" and has collaborated with BIRN, focusing mainly on monitoring local government, the environment, and issues affecting the community.
Curri said he hopes the incident will be solved, but that he does not believe it will be, due to his daily work. He stressed that there are no suspects in the incident.
