Fine against Top Channel rejected

21/09/2011 00:00

The Court of Appeal rejected the decision of the Tirana Court of First
Degree, issued one year ago by Judge Agim Bendo, who fined Top-Channel
with 400.000 EUR for having broadcasted in the investigative program
“Fiks Fare” a video-scandal that showed the former Minister and former
MP Ylli Pango asking sexual favors in exchange of a job at the Ministry.

The decision was taken today by the panel led by Judge Flutura Skenderi, and the members Ilir Toska and Astrit Kalaja. Judge Flutura Skenderi announced that this decision will be returned to the Court of Tirana for being reviewed by another judge panel.

This decision says that since during the first trial – in which Judge Bendo fined Top-Channel – were not followed the necessary steps, now that the case will be returned, it will undergo a full investigation.

 On March 2009, Top Channel’s investigative program “Fiks Fare” reported a member of the Council of Minister, then Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports, Ylli Pango, while abusing with his duty.

“Fiks Fare” showed through hidden cameras that the Minister asked sexual favors from a young girl who was looking for a job at the Ministry. During a meeting at the house of this Government member, where the girl was told to hand over the required documents, Pango tried to abuse with her.

“When a woman is courageous, everything can be fixed. It depends on how courageous she is. You can participate at the tourism fair, with a bathing suit. But I want to see your exposure first”, Pango told her on camera.

The Minister tried to make the girl take her shirt off, despite her refusals.

“You will take your shirt off for other people, how can you not take it off for me? If you can’t feel at ease with me, it means that you cannot…,” Pango added to the girl. In exchange of the sexual favors, the Minister promised the girl a job.

“You will be by my side in fairs. You will be fairly paid”, Pango lured her.

Right after the scandal was broadcasted, the Prime Minister dismissed Pango from his duties and the decision was quickly decreed by the Albanian President. The reaction about this scandal came from many right and left centered MPs, journalists and representatives from the civil society, even in foreign media.

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