Actual attack on journalist Alketa Shaba, Tirane, 13.05.2025

Tirana •︎ 13/05/2025

Actual attack on journalist Alketa Shaba, Tirane, 13.05.2025

Translations: Tirana 

  • Case info

  • Personal info

  • Regional center
    Tirana
  • Who was attacked?
    Journalist
  • Gender
    Female
  • Victim(s) name
    Alketa Shaba

  • Media outlet

  • Name of the media outlet
    Top News
  • Type of media platform
    Radio
  • Source of information about the incident
    https://www.balkanweb.com/spak-merr-te-pandehur-vartesin-e-ballukut-gentjan-gjyli-shtyn-kameramanin-cfare-tha-kreu-i-arrsh-per-gazetaret/#gsc.tab=0

  • Incident Data

  • Date of incident
    13.05.2025
  • City
    Tirana
  • Perpetrator(s)
    Known (suspected)
  • Attacked by
    By public official(s) and/or representative(s) of the executive power
  • 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?
    Yes
  • What was the reaction of the journalists' association?
    The association reacted publicly

Gentian Gjyli, the Director of the Albanian Road Authority, was involved in an incident outside the premises of SPAK (Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime) where he acted aggressively toward a journalist and her crew. As journalist Alketa Shaba from Top News attempted to ask Mr. Gjyli for a statement regarding the official charges filed against him, specifically the accusation of violating the principle of equality in public tenders, he responded in a hostile and forceful manner.

During her effort to carry out her professional duty and seek transparency on a matter of public interest, Shaba was physically obstructed by Gjyli, who pushed her in an apparent attempt to avoid media scrutiny. The situation escalated further when Gjyli also pushed the cameraman who was filming the interaction.

The incident occurred shortly after SPAK formally indicted Gjyli in connection with alleged irregularities in public procurement processes.