Kosovo: Ardiana Thaçi-Mehmeti Doxxed Following Exposé on Notorious Telegram Group
Women Press Freedom condemns attack, journalists must be able to report free from harassment and intimidation
Location: Kosovo
Date: May 7, 2024
Women Press Freedom firmly denounces the targeting of journalist Ardiana Thaçi-Mehmeti following her investigative report on the "Albkings" Telegram group, notorious for sharing pornographic images of Albanian women and girls without their consent. After the broadcast of her report, Thaçi-Mehmeti’s phone number was leaked by the group. The doxxing of Ardiana Thaçi-Mehmeti shows the vulnerability of journalists who expose criminal activities. Such retaliation not only endangers individual journalists but also undermines press freedom and the public's right to information. Women Press Freedom urges the Kosovo Police and the Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
Klan Kosova’s Ardiana Thaçi-Mehmeti became a target of harassment after her report on the Telegram group "Albkings" aired on KIKS Kosova on May 7, 2024.
In retaliation, members of "Albkings" distributed her personal phone number within the group, leading to a flood of harassing calls and messages on various social media platforms.
"Albkings" has been operating on Telegram for several months, distributing non-consensual photos and videos of Albanian girls and women from Kosovo and Albania. The group targets both well-known personalities and ordinary people, sharing intimate content without consent. Although an earlier version of the group with 124,000 followers was closed, a new iteration quickly gained over 60,000 subscribers. Despite media attention and public concern, authorities have yet to shut it down permanently.
The group, initially established in Kosovo, is under investigation by Kosovar police in collaboration with Telegram representatives. In April, Kosovo police arrested Edin Nevzadit, reportedly involved in the group’s administration. Nevzadit has been charged with distributing images without permission and remains in pre-trial detention
Regrettably, this isn't the first instance of Ardiana Thaçi-Mehmeti facing harassment for her work. In November 2023, Women Press Freedom documented death threats sent to her and Erjona Gjikolli from KIKS Kosova following their investigative report on singer Eroll Murati, who stands accused of fraudulent activities involving Slovenian passports. The threats, which included explicit mentions of harm to their families and children, were sent via a newly created Facebook profile, suggesting a deliberate effort to hide the aggressor's identity.
Women Press Freedom unequivocally condemns the harassment of Ardiana Thaçi-Mehmeti and stands in solidarity with the Klan Kosova reporter. Leaking her phone number in retaliation for her exposé on the group is a direct threat. The subsequent harassment she faced from members of the Albkings group shows a concerted effort by those involved to silence and intimidate her. Authorities must not only intensify their efforts to dismantle the "Albkings" group permanently but also ensure robust protection for journalists exposing such criminal enterprises.
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