Actual attack on Piranja filming crew, Tirana, 13.09.2025

Tirana •︎ Posted on

Actual attack on Piranja filming crew, Tirana, 13.09.2025

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Group
  • Group members' names and surnames
    Edon Kuqi and the team`s cameraman

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Piranjat Show, Syri TV
  • Type of media platform
    Television
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOjO9P1Ewk2/?igsh=MWFzcWl1NXAwOHJ3MQ%3D%3D

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    13.09.2025
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    Public person(s)
  • Means of incidents and attacks
    In person
  • Type of incident
    Actual attacks on journalists
  • Type of attack
    Physical attack with snatching or damage to devices, cars or other journalist's belongings

  • Action by the authorities

  • 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 the afternoon of Saturday, 13 September 2025, journalist Edon Kuçi and a cameraman from the investigative TV show “Piranjat” were threatened and assaulted while on duty at the “Selman Stërmasi” stadium in Tirana.

The crew was seeking explanations from Sinan Idrizi, the main shareholder of Air Albania and president of the football club Flamurtari, regarding alleged irregularities in the company’s payment of social security contributions. During the exchange, Idrizi verbally threatened the journalist, including with references to kidnapping.

The situation escalated further when Refik Halili, president of football club KF Tirana, physically intervened and forcibly seized the journalist’s phone.

Both the journalist and the cameraman were carrying out their professional duties when they were subjected to intimidation, threats, and physical aggression, directly obstructing their work.

Update on the case:

The football club Flamurtari reacted with a statement that, instead of apologizing for the attack on journalist Edon Kuqi and the Piranja crew, falsely accused the journalist of being armed. We call on Flamurtari to withdraw its statement, issue an apology, and urge the police and prosecution to open a thorough investigation.