Hearing on security measure at the Appeals Court, decision expected for fined journalist

2026-03-09 14:28:00, Aktualitet CNA

Today, the Court of Appeals is holding a hearing on the security measure for convicted journalist Elio Lazaj.

The court is expected to issue a decision regarding the fined journalist regarding the security measure.

Journalist Elio Lazaj was arrested on February 12, 2026, after an operation by the Tirana Police.

Lazaj is accused of the criminal offense of "Coercion through threats and violence for the provision of property."

For this criminal offense, according to the Criminal Code, Article 109/b, Elio Lazaj risks a minimum of two to eight years in prison in the criminal situation he currently finds himself in.

CNA has reported that Elio Lazaj's four phones have been seized, where they are expected to be analyzed to uncover communications and a scheme that goes beyond Elio Lazaj.

Elio Lazaj threatened, blackmailed, and coerced a state official through communications, but also through his constant writings.

Elio Lazaj continued his scheme of swearing, threats, blackmail and insults through a portal and after many investigations conducted by the Tirana Prosecutor's Office, the police caught him red-handed and put him in handcuffs.

Elio Lazaj was arrested after months of attacking his portal and imposing a fine on a state official.

For two years, journalist Elio Lazaj blackmailed an official by slandering, writing and threatening him, allegedly in connection with a "call center" and then making other accusations against opposition officials.

It is learned that Lazaj initially demanded 40,000 euros and then another smaller amount, around 10,000 euros, but when the official went to give him the money, blue uniformed officers from the Criminal Police and Economic Crime appeared and handcuffed the fined journalist.

We recall that on February 16, a hearing was held at the Tirana Court where the fined journalist was sentenced to "prison arrest"/ CNA