On 24 November 2025, the Greek authorities declared the Albanian investigative journalist Artan Hoxha as “persona non grata,” effectively banning him indefinitely from entering Greek territory.
The decision came at the border crossing of Kakavija, when Hoxha — travelling toward Ioannina — was stopped by the border police. After a passport check, they informed him that he could not proceed and ordered him to a secondary line for unspecified “problems.”
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| Artan Hoxha in a local TV Show |
In the document he was handed, Greek police labelled him “undesirable,” a threat to public order, internal security, public health, or international relations of one or more EU countries — without specifying precise charges or accusations.
What Hoxha Says — His Version of Events
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Hoxha went to Greece “mainly for medicine,” because his father was hospitalized.
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At the first passport control, the officer said there was a “problem in the system” and asked him to proceed to the second line — without giving any reason.
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Once in the second line, a different officer began asking personal questions about his parents and profession — a curious detail since “Artan Hoxha” is a common name in Albania.
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He was asked to give fingerprints, a photograph and an iris scan. Hoxha said he protested: “I am not a criminal.” He was told that it was a standard procedure.
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Eventually, he was handed a form — to sign — declaring him persona non grata, with vague references to threats to the constitutional order of Greece and its international relations.
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Hoxha claims the ban is a backlash for his investigative journalism — especially his coverage of historical events such as the Peshkëpi Massacre (1994), the exhumation of remains in Kosinë, and other delicate topics like the case of Fredi Beleri and national issues concerning Albanians in
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Hoxha rejects any suggestion that the ban relates to criminal proceedings. He argues that his reporting “hurt Greek interests” and was deemed dangerous by the Greek authorities.
Context: Increasing Pressure on Albanian Journalists
According to the Union of Albanian Journalists (UGSH), the decision against Hoxha is part of a worrying pattern: more Albanian journalists are being barred from Greece. The union strongly criticized Athens’ move, calling it “absurd” and “extremist,” and urged the Albanian state to demand official explanations and activate diplomatic and legal mechanisms.
Such measures — bans, detentions, refusals of entry — reportedly target journalists who cover sensitive historical or ethnic issues, or who investigate crimes tied to individuals with dual Albanian-Greek citizenship.
The saga of Hoxha resonates especially in the Albanian public sphere because it touches on freedom of the press, the rights of Albanian journalists abroad, and wider bilateral tensions.
Why This Matters for Albanians — and What’s at Stake
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Freedom of the press and expression. Banning a journalist without specifying concrete charges undermines transparency and sets a dangerous precedent. If such practices continue, many reporters may self-censor.
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Historical memory and accountability. Hoxha has devoted decades to investigating painful episodes such as the Peshkëpi Massacre and other events involving Albanians and ethnic conflicts. Restricting his access to Greece effectively blocks his ability to continue covering stories linked to those events and access archives or witnesses.
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Albanian-Greek relations and minority issues. The case reflects underlying friction when it comes to historical narratives, minority rights, cross-border politics, and the treatment of Albanians within Greek society.
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Diplomatic and legal implications. The unilateral decision by Greece — a fellow EU member — raises concerns about EU standards and the rights of citizens in a union that claims to protect free movement and human rights.
Reaction and What Comes Next
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UGSH has demanded action from the Albanian government. They urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek clarifications from Athens and protect press freedom and the rights of Albanian media professionals.
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Some voices stress the inconsistency: while dual-citizenship politicians like Fredi Beleri have been promoted in Greece, journalists investigating them are penalized.
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It remains uncertain whether Greece will ever provide detailed reasons for the ban, or whether Hoxha’s status may be revisited.