Other threats to journalist Osman Stafa, 17.07.2026, Elbasan

Tirana •︎ Posted on

Other threats to journalist Osman Stafa, 17.07.2026, Elbasan

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Man
  • Victim(s) name
    Osman Stafa

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    News24
  • Type of media platform
    Television
  • Source of information about the incident
    Reporting directly from the journalist

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    17.07.2026
  • City
    Elbasan
  • Were authorities informed?
    Case was reported to the police
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Not known
  • Attacked by
    (ordinary) citizens
  • Type of incident
    Other threats to journalists
  • Type of threat
    Surveillance

  • Action by the authorities

  • Police action
    The Crime Investigation Specialists of the Elbasan Police Station, under the direction of the Prosecutor's Office, carried out the initial investigative actions and initiated criminal proceedings for the criminal offence of "Threats on account of duty" against citizens R. T., 33 years old, resident of Tirana, and A. B., 31 years old, resident of Librazhd. On 17 July 2026, at approximately 14:00, journalist O. S. notified the Police Operations Room, stating that while travelling on the Librazhd–Elbasan road, he felt threatened by two individuals travelling in a vehicle. Following the initial investigative actions and the collection of evidence, criminal proceedings were initiated against the two individuals for the criminal offence of "Threats on account of duty." The procedural materials were referred to the Prosecutor's Office for further action.

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Yes
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly

On 17 July 2026, journalist Osman Stafa reported that he had been followed and had felt threatened after documenting complaints from local residents concerning the extraction of aggregate material from the Shkumbin River and excavation activity in the Hotolisht area of Librazhd Municipality.

According to the official record of his criminal complaint, Stafa left Tirana for Librazhd at approximately 9:00 a.m. He first filmed in the Hotolisht area. On his return journey towards Elbasan, he stopped to film an excavator operating in the Shkumbin riverbed, which he suspected was extracting aggregate material. After filming for approximately 20 seconds, he returned to his vehicle and continued towards Elbasan.

Stafa stated that a black vehicle then began following him along the Librazhd–Elbasan road, driving very close to his vehicle and using its lights. According to the complaint, the vehicle attempted to overtake him but came very close. Stafa slowed down to allow it to pass, but the driver moved in front of him and cut off his route.

The journalist stated that he reversed his vehicle and then passed the other vehicle on its right-hand side. According to his account, the vehicle continued following him for approximately another 800 meters before it was no longer visible. The complaint also states that several people were inside the vehicle.

Stafa said that, because of his work as an investigative journalist and the timing of the conduct immediately after the filming, he perceived the incident as threatening.

No physical contact or direct verbal threat was reported. The identity of the individuals in the vehicle, their motive and any possible connection to the activity being documented by the journalist have not been confirmed by the authorities.

Action by the authorities

At 2:20 p.m. on 17 July 2026, the Judicial Police attached to the Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office formally recorded Stafa’s oral criminal complaint. At the time of registration by the SafeJournalists Network, no further public information was available regarding the identification of the individuals involved, specific investigative measures or the authorities’ assessment of the motive behind the incident.

The Association of Journalists of Albania expressed concern over the incident and condemned any act of intimidation or pressure against journalists while carrying out their professional duties. The Association called on the State Police and the Prosecutor’s Office to treat the case as a priority, conduct a full and impartial investigation, establish all the circumstances of the incident and take the measures necessary to ensure the journalist’s safety.

The case is registered on the basis of the official record of the criminal complaint and the public statement issued by Osman Stafa. The description reflects the journalist’s account and does not present the identity, motive or responsibility of the persons in the vehicle as established facts.