TIRANA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berishaon Tuesday condemned the attack on a local journalist as a "shameful, grave and unacceptable act for a free society."

    Mero Baze, editor of the TemA newspaper, was beaten up in a bar in downtown capital city of Tirana. Witness said he was punched and kicked around by attackers and left unconscious.

    "Mr. Berisha reiterates that the Albanian government considers the intimidation, ill-treatment and pressure of any form on journalists as a very grave and unjustified act," the government spokeswoman Juela Mecani said.

    Police said that they have arrested two bodyguards of an Albanian businessman Rezart Tace over the incident which happened late Monday evening. Taci denied any involvement in the attack.

    Baze's newspaper has in recent month repeatedly accused Taci oftax evasion following his company's purchase last year of an 85-percent stake in former state oil company ARMO.

    Albania's Union of Journalist strongly condemned the assault and called on authorities to bring the culprits to justice.

    "This acts proves that the Albanian journalist is under constant threat from brutality and criminal violence," said the union in a statement.