According to information from Kosovo, the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina (Prishtinë), Kosovo, launched an investigation on 23 October 2024 into journalists Vehbi Kajtazi (@vehbikajtazi) who is Editor-in-Chief of Paparaci (https://paparaci.com/) online medium and Lirim Mehmetaj (@LirimMehmetaj) Editor-in-Chief of Albanian Post (https://albanianpost.com/) portal.
This investigation, allegedly linked to the disclosure of the identities of Kosovo Intelligence Agency (AgjenciaKosovare e Inteligjencës– AKI – KIA) officials, has sparked strong reactions across the media and political landscape.
The Pristina Prosecutor’s Office has stated that information relevant to the case is under review, although additional details remain undisclosed. The Chief Prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution in Pristina, Zejnullah Gashi, denied, according to Telegrafi (https://telegrafi.com/), that they are conducting investigations against the journalists, Vehbi Kajtazi and Lirim Mehemtaj, but confirmed that they are examining information which, according to him, “has come to them or is circulating in the media”. Journalists Vehbi Kajtazi and Lirim Mehmetaj are under the scrutiny of the Basic Prosecutor’s Office of Pristina, but they have not officially started investigations against them.
For TV Dukagjini, this information was confirmed by the Chief Prosecutor, Zejnullah Gashi, who stated that they are in the stage of examining the information.
Kajtazi alleged that he and other journalists, including Berat Buzhala and Ilir Mirena, have been subjected to illegal surveillance by AKI. Kajtazi explained that the AKI allegedly initiated the case through a report sent to Acting Chief State Prosecutor, who subsequently forwarded the complaint to the Pristina Prosecutor’s Office.
Kosovo Journalists Association (AsociacioniiGazetarëvetëKosovësAGK – AJK – https://agk-ks.org/en/) expressed deep concern over the investigation, questioning its legitimacy and seeking assurances that political motives are not behind it. AGK urged the prosecutor to fully respect freedom of expression and media rights throughout the process. In its statement, AGK announced it would continue monitoring developments closely and reiterated the need to uphold democratic principles and the rights of journalists.
The case has drawn additional criticism, notably from opposition voices who condemned the investigation as a threat to democracy, describing it as a sign of rising totalitarianism. According to the critics, the use of intelligence services to target journalists represents a severe escalation, adding that it reflects an alarming fusion of propaganda and policing, aimed at suppressing dissent.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the recent investigation targeting journalists Vehbi Kajtazi and Lirim Mehmetaj, which raises serious concerns about press freedom and the protection of journalistic rights. Such actions against journalists threaten democratic principles and the independence of media, essential for the public’s right to know. SEEMO calls on the Kosovo authorities to respect press freedoms and ensure transparency throughout the process. SEEMO will closely monitor developments and continue to advocate for the rights and safety of journalists across the region. The KIA should account for information leaks and not hold journalists accountable.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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