For years, Greece has presented itself as a pillar of European democracy and rule of law. Yet behind the polished rhetoric and EU slogans, a far more cynical strategy appears to be unfolding—one in which citizenship is weaponized, passports become bargaining chips, and influence is exercised quietly, selectively, and strategically inside Albania.
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| Artan Hoxha raising his right index finger in the television studio while talking about the reasons why the Greeks give passports to certain Albanians |
The recent alarm raised by investigative journalist Artan Hoxha has exposed a disturbing pattern: Greek passports granted not for cultural ties or humanitarian reasons, but for political silence, loyalty, or utility. If confirmed in full, this practice would amount not merely to soft power—but to institutionalized political manipulation.
Citizenship as Currency: A Modern Tool of Soft Annexation
The question is no longer whether Greece distributes passports beyond its borders—it does. The real question is why, to whom, and under what conditions.
According to Hoxha’s public statements, individuals connected to organized crime, media influence, and political leverage have obtained valid Greek passports, often without transparent justification. Even more troubling, Hoxha revealed that he himself was directly offered Greek citizenship in exchange for silence—specifically silence regarding the Alfred Beleri case and broader Greek influence operations in Albania.
In his words, the message was clear:
Don’t speak. Don’t investigate. Don’t question. And a Greek passport is yours.
This is not cultural diplomacy.
This is transactional loyalty-building.
From Journalists to Criminal Networks: Who Benefits?
Hoxha cited concrete and verifiable cases that raise serious red flags:
- Gramoz Rexhepi, linked to Latin American drug cartels, arrested in Ecuador while holding a Greek passport.
- Plarent Dervishi, a figure associated with serious criminal cases in Albania, reportedly also in possession of Greek documentation.
These are not isolated coincidences. They suggest a pattern of selective naturalization, where passports are issued not to integrate migrants, but to protect assets, facilitate movement, and expand influence.
The obvious question follows:
Who authorized these documents, and for what strategic purpose?
Media Silence for Sale?
Perhaps the most disturbing element of this story is the attempted co-optation of journalists.
Journalists like Artan Hoxha—and others publicly known to hold or have obtained Greek citizenship—raise legitimate concerns about conflicts of interest, media neutrality, and foreign leverage within Albanian public discourse.
This does not mean that every journalist with dual citizenship is compromised. But when citizenship is offered as a reward for silence, the line between journalism and geopolitical influence becomes dangerously blurred.
In this context, the phrase circulating online captures the cynicism perfectly:
“Stay Silent About Beleri and Get a Greek Passport.”
Crude? Yes.
Accurate? Alarmingly so.
Ultranationalist Networks and Political Cover
Investigative reporting in Albanian and international media has long documented the existence of Greek ultranationalist networks operating under the banners of “minority rights” and “historical justice.” In practice, these networks often function as political pressure mechanisms, backed by sympathetic political figures and shielded by diplomatic ambiguity.
Passports, in this framework, become tools of:
- Influence-building
- Narrative control
- Political insurance
- Cross-border loyalty engineering
All while maintaining plausible deniability under EU law.
Non Grata Journalism: Why Artan Hoxha Became a Problem
Artan Hoxha did not become inconvenient because he lies.
He became inconvenient because he refused to trade truth for privilege.
By exposing links between organized crime, political interests, and foreign citizenship policies, Hoxha challenged a system that depends on quiet compliance. His refusal to accept the “passport-for-silence” deal effectively made him persona non grata within certain power circles.
In other words, he did what journalism is supposed to do.
Conclusion: Passports Are Not Harmless Documents
A passport is not just a travel document.
In the wrong hands, it is a shield, a reward, and a leash.
If the Greek state—or factions within it—are indeed distributing citizenship to criminals, influencers, or journalists in exchange for loyalty or silence, then this is not diplomacy. It is covert political engineering.
Albania, its institutions, and its public opinion must take this seriously.
Because when passports are used to buy silence, sovereignty is what gets sold.
And history shows that soft annexation often begins not with tanks—
but with documents stamped quietly behind closed doors.