Actual attack on dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei in Tirana, 04.09.2024

Tirana •︎ 04/09/2024

Actual attack on dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei in Tirana, 04.09.2024

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Male
  • Victim(s) name
    Vincent van Gerven Oei

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Independent journalist
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://citizens.al/2024/09/11/gazetari-vincent-van-gerven-oei-u-kercenua-pas-shkrimeve-kritike-ndaj-harabel/

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    04.09.2024
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Not known
  • Attacked by
    Public person(s)
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    In person
  • Type of incident
    Actual attacks on journalists
  • Type of attack
    attack_without_injury

  • Action by the authorities

  • Action taken by the journalists' association

  • Was journalist's association informed by the journalists directly?
    Unknown

Artist Driant Zeneli, co-founder of the Harabel Foundation—a non-profit promoting contemporary art, co-founded by Ajola Xoxa, the wife of Tirana’s Mayor Erion Veliaj—initiated a series of threatening messages to journalist van Gerven Oei through social media. The confrontation escalated on September 4, when Zeneli, accompanied by three others, confronted Van Gerven Oei at a gallery opening in Tirana, engaging in aggressive and homophobic language and attempting physical assault. Intervention from bystanders prevented further escalation.

The intimidation of Dutch journalist Vincent van Gerven Oei comes after he published a critical article titled “How to Launder Art and Money through Waste Management Concessions” a few months ago. This piece explored alleged money laundering involving the Tirana Municipality and Albania’s art scene, specifically linked to incinerator projects.