The director of "Harabel" threatened the Dutch journalist / Safe Journalists, tough attitude

2024-09-10 18:02:00, Aktualitet CNA

CNA reported the case of the threat of Dutch journalist Vincent van Gervein Oei, by Harabel director Driant Zeneli.

Zeneli threatened the Dutch journalist with messages and then physically.

Messages/ The director of "Harabel" threatens the author of articles about incinerators and affairs in the Municipality of Tirana
September 6, 3:46 p.m

After the publication of this serious case, where a journalist who writes against affairs, who denounces corruption through articles is targeted, the Safe Journalists network also reacted strongly.

The reaction emphasizes that the recent intimidation of the Dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oeiraises raises serious concerns for the safety of journalists in Albania, especially when reporting on sensitive topics involving powerful figures.

"The scare of Dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei comes after he published a critical article titled 'How to clean art and money through waste management concessions' a few months ago. This piece explored alleged money laundering involving the Municipality of Tirana and Albania's art scene, especially related to the incinerator projects," Safe Journalists points out.

"The artist Driant Zeneli, co-founder of the Harabel Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes contemporary art, co-founded by Ajola Xoxa, the wife of the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, launched a series of threatening messages to the journalist van Gerven Oei through social networks.

The clash escalated on September 4, when Zeneli, accompanied by three others, confronted Van Gerven Oei at the opening of a gallery in Tirana, engaging in aggressive and homophobic language and attempting physical assault. Intervention by bystanders prevented further escalation.

The scare of Dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei comes after he published a critical article titled "How to clean art and money through waste management concessions" a few months ago.

This piece explored alleged money laundering involving the Municipality of Tirana and Albania's art scene, particularly related to the incinerator projects," the statement said.

Also, a few days ago, the Dutch ambassador in Tirana, Reinout Vos, reacted by supporting and defending the Dutch journalist.

"I discussed the safety of journalists in Albania with Dr. Vincent van Gerven Oei. He shared his concerns about media freedom and freedom of expression, noting that many journalists face intimidation, lack of physical security and threats. The safety of journalists and the independence of the media are essential for Albania's path towards the EU", writes the ambassador in a post on social networks.

We remind you that Vincent van Gerven Oei is the author of the article "How money is cleaned through art and waste management concessions?!", also published in CNA.

He has raised doubts about the financing of "Harabeli" and about the premises that the organization uses without rent in the middle of the former Block, one of the most expensive areas in Tirana./ CNA