Kosovo: Ardiana Thaçi Mehmeti and Erjona Gjikolli Sent Death Threats after Reporting on Singer
Families of journalists also threatened
Location: Kosovo, Pristina
Date: November 30, 2023
KIKS Kosova journalists, Ardiana Thaçi Mehmeti and Erjona Gjikolli reported receiving death threats in the aftermath of their investigative report on the singer Eroll Murati. The anonymous perpetrator conveyed a disturbing level of aggression, explicitly mentioning the journalists' families, raising concerns about their safety and well-being. The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is alarmed by the targeting of the journalists and their families. We urge Kosovo Police to initiate a swift investigation to identify and arrest those harassing the reporters.
“The words used are very disturbing since, in addition to insults and degrading language, he also used threats of the type: you have little children, you are all surrounded by children, I will put them on fire,” described reporters Ardiana Thaçi Mehmeti and Erjona Gjikolli about the malicious online messages they received.
The threats followed the airing of an investigative report into singer Eroll Murati by Thaçi Mehmeti and Gjikolli. In the KIKS Kosova report, the singer was implicated in fraudulent activities related to Slovenian passports.
The journalists reported the threats to the Kosovo Police, emphasizing that the threats were made through a newly established Facebook profile, which may indicate a deliberate attempt to conceal the identity of the aggressor.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom denounces the horrific abuse and frightening threats sent to Ardiana Thaçi Mehmeti and Erjona Gjikolli. It is particularly alarming that the perpetrator wished harm upon the reporters’ children. We urgently call upon the Kosovo Police to prioritize this case and take all necessary measures to identify and apprehend those responsible for the threats.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.