In a troubling turn of events, journalist Elton Qyno, affiliated with Ora News television (https://www.oranews.tv/) in Albania, allegedly underwent an exhaustive several hours long interrogation on 13 December 2023, conducted by the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure (SPAK) (https://spak.gov.al/) in Tirana, Albania. The focus of the inquiry was Qyno’s refusal to disclose his sources regarding alleged articles suspected of divulging secret data from a criminal investigation identified as Case No. 75/2022. Despite persistent efforts by SPAK to compel disclosure, Qyno steadfastly adhered to journalistic professional secrecy.
First the SPAK representative asked him to sign a document that he will not publish confidential information connected to investigation of Case 75/2022. Qyno signed the document. As next step he was asked to reveal the sources of his information, what he refused.
After the questioning, SPAK secured legal authorizations, granting investigators the authority to meticulously search both Qyno’s home and office, resulting in the confiscation of vital documents and computer data, CD, personal laptop, and two mobile phones, as also temporarily his car key. The focus of the investigation centers on Qyno’s coverage of an purported criminal organization involved in several murders, with SPAK actively striving to uncover the origin of the disclosed information.
On 15 December 2023, conveying his dissatisfaction with SPAK’s conduct, Qyno expeditiously lodged an appeal against the order at the Special Court of Appeal. In response to widespread public responses, SPAK informed the public that the interview aimed to comprehend Qyno’s information-gathering process. According to information from some Albanian media, the journalist has published information from Sky ecc that even SPAK did not have.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is monitoring the case. SEEMO raises concern about potential infringements on the rights of journalists and their ability to conduct essential investigative work on matters of public interest. The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) urges Albanian authorities to ensure an environment where journalists can operate without fear of undue interference or intimidation, reinforcing the principles that safeguard free and independent media.
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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