Mr Veliaj described Ola Xama, an investigative journalist from BIRN, as a “contract killer” after she revealed that he had played an important role in a project linked to the management of public waste in Tirana. Investigations involving leading political figures are currently underway into the way in which waste is managed in the Albanian capital.

The investigation was published on 13 July 2023 and Veliaj declined BIRN’s request for comment. The day after publication, Mr Veliaj wrote to the journalist to say that she had mixed up the facts and called her a “militant”. In another communication with the journalist, he told her “you are not a journalist, you are a contract killer”. Several media engaged in a negative campaign against Ola Xama, using the same words as Mr Veliaj.

Calling a journalist a contract killer is a serious accusation that can lead to online harassment and even physical threats. The use of such words seriously endangers Ola Xama and discourages her and other women journalists from carrying out their work as journalists in the public interest.

I have asked Mr Veliaj on several occasions in the past to stop intimidating and denigrating Albanian journalists and citizens who dare to call him to account. This time I will address him in Albanian. Perhaps he will listen more?

Z. Veliaj, MJAFT MË.

#Albania #Tirana #Harassment