ELBASAN, Albania – Albanian journalist Osman Stafa has filed a complaint with the Elbasan Police, alleging that he was followed and forced off the road shortly after documenting what he believes was illegal gravel extraction from the Shkumbin River.
According to Stafa, he traveled to the area to verify complaints submitted by local residents regarding activity along the riverbed. While there, he filmed an excavator that he claims was extracting gravel from the Shkumbin River.
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| Osman Stafa denouncing gravel excavation on Shkumbin River |
Stafa alleges that immediately after leaving the scene, a sport utility vehicle bearing license plate AB489YZ followed him for approximately one kilometer. He says the vehicle repeatedly signaled for him to stop before cutting him off on the road.
The journalist states that he managed to leave the area safely before filing a formal complaint with the police. In his complaint, he requested that authorities identify the individuals inside the vehicle, secure all available evidence, and conduct a full investigation into the incident.
He also called on the relevant institutions to verify whether the gravel extraction activity documented in the Shkumbin River was being carried out in accordance with Albanian law.
In a public statement following the incident, Stafa said the alleged intimidation would not prevent him from continuing his work as a journalist. He stressed that he will continue investigating and publishing citizens' reports of suspected wrongdoing, describing the actions against him as "mafia-style threats" that, according to him, will not intimidate him.
As of the time of publication, Albanian authorities have not issued a public statement regarding Stafa's allegations, and no response has been made public by the individuals allegedly involved in the incident.