Because of Trump project

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(Bild: kameraone/AP-News)

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama was not at all statesmanlike in an interview situation outside the headquarters of his socialist party on Tuesday. He simply grabbed a critically questioning journalist in the face - he is now being accused of attempted intimidation due to his assaultive behavior.

The situation escalated when Albanian journalist Ambrozia Meta wanted to question him about a controversial investment project in which Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is said to be involved. Rama reacted unusually aggressively and touched the journalist seemingly inappropriately on the head.

"Touched on the cheek with his hand"
 Meta, who works for the Albanian television station Syri TV, reacted promptly and asked Rama to stop touching her - after the incident, she explained that the prime minister had "touched her on the cheek with his hand".

According to reports, the reporter had asked Edi Rama about an investment deal related to Donald Trump's son-in-law.(Bild: kameraone/AP-News)

"Unfortunately, Prime Minister Rama is now showing his usual arrogance towards journalists with a physical assault. I am sorry that the head of government cannot control himself when asked about issues of public interest," said the journalist.

Rama's behavior "unacceptable"
 Rama himself does not want to know anything about an assault. According to an eyewitness report, he stated that his behavior had not been aggressive and that he had answered all questions patiently. The controversy nevertheless caused great public outrage, particularly among women's rights groups. The organization WomenInJournalism, for example, sharply criticized Rama and called his behaviour "unacceptable". It was not the first time that the Prime Minister had treated the critical press with contempt.

This incident comes at a time when Rama is already facing widespread criticism. Just last year, there were nationwide protests in Albania calling for his resignation due to alleged corruption and mismanagement. The opposition also accuses him and his government of links to organized crime and poor economic policy.