01/25/2026
A CRIMINAL INCIDENT occurred in Durrës, Albania, involving a U.S. citizen and several Albanian citizens, caused by police officers who abused their authority by using physical violence against them.
This incident is not an isolated case. Similar acts of violence and abuse of power have occurred repeatedly against the same U.S. citizen, a businessman and investigative reporter for Albanian World TV, who has been systematically targeted by criminal individuals operating on behalf of organized criminal groups in Albania, because of his duty as an Investigative Reporter.
These individuals, some of whom hold positions within state institutions, have repeatedly used intimidation, unlawful force, and abuse of authority to silence his investigative reporting and to obstruct the exposure of criminal activity.
This statement is issued as a formal protest and public alert regarding the fact that an American Investigative reporter of the Albanian World TV, has been placed in direct danger through the unlawful use of violence by police authorities in Albania.
The actions described constitute a serious threat not only to the personal safety of a journalist, but also to freedom of the press, the rule of law, and democratic standards.
During the incident, the U.S. citizen was unlawfully detained, denied the right to contact his lawyer and family, and prevented from exercising his legal rights.
Two Albanian citizens who requested that the journalist be allowed to contact his lawyer suffered another severe shock and collapsed unconscious on the ground after police officers used force to stop them from intervening in what authorities claimed was “someone else’s case.”
A further scandalous situation occurred when the U.S. citizen attempted to provide first aid to the collapsed individuals.
Instead of allowing medical assistance, police officers forcibly detained him and transferred him to a holding cell, leaving the other citizens without any medical attention. This conduct represents a serious breach of duty, endangerment of life, and a blatant violation of basic human rights.
Despite the gravity of these events and the existence of clear criminal elements, the Prosecutor’s Office of Durrës has failed to initiate criminal proceedings against the police officers involved. Instead, in multiple cases, criminal complaints have been filed against the victims who reported the crimes, raising serious concerns about institutional retaliation and the systematic obstruction of justice.
Such actions have been reported on numerous occasions to both Albanian and United States authorities. Nevertheless, these abuses continue, resulting in ongoing violations of the rights, safety, and lives of a U.S. citizen engaged in lawful business activities and investigative journalism in Albania.
The incident that occurred on January 17 in Durrës is deeply alarming and further exposes the severe lack of accountability within local law enforcement. It demonstrates how far certain police officers are willing to go when acting in the interests of criminal organizations, while operating with apparent impunity.
We call for immediate international attention and for an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into these acts. All individuals responsible must be identified and brought before justice without delay.
Albanian World TV reaffirms its commitment to exposing criminal conduct and abuses of power that threaten journalists, citizens, and democratic values.
If Albanian authorities continue to refuse to identify and prosecute those responsible, we call on the international community and the local community in Durrës to support efforts to uncover the truth, protect journalists, and defend fundamental human rights.
U.S. Embassy Tirana
European Commission
Piranjat
Brryli Broadway
Ministria e Drejtesise
Ministria e Brendshme
News24
The New York Times
The Hollywood Reporter
