Kosovo-Albanian businessman Behgjet Pacolli has announced that he will pursue legal action following statements made about him during Grida Duma’s “Top Story” program on Top Channel, where former Albanian minister Ylli Manjani and commentator Arjan Curri were among the guests.
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In a statement published on his Facebook page, Pacolli said he completely rejects the allegations and is prepared to respond with documents and evidence.
“I completely reject them and I am ready to confront every claim with evidence,” Pacolli wrote.
He argued that criticism and opinions are legitimate, but said publicly presenting what he considers false claims as facts is a different matter and should carry legal responsibility.
Pacolli Names Ylli Manjani and Arjan Curri
Pacolli specifically warned that his planned legal action will also include Arjan Curri, claiming that the commentator has previously made defamatory statements about him and that legal proceedings related to those earlier allegations are already underway.
“Legal action will also include Mr. Arjan Curri,” Pacolli said, adding that this is not the first time he has taken legal steps over statements made by the commentator.
Pacolli said he intends to approach the relevant institutions and courts on Monday.
“On Monday I will turn to the competent institutions and the courts in Tirana and Lugano, so that everything said publicly can be confronted with facts, documents, legal responsibility and material [evidence],” he wrote.
The businessman also defended his professional reputation and the companies he says he has built over decades.
He argued that public criticism is part of legitimate debate, but rejected what he described as insults and the presentation of unverified claims as established facts.
Pacolli: “The Public Deserves Facts”
In his statement, Pacolli said he would not allow his name or business activities to be used for what he characterized as personal or other interests.
“The public deserves to be informed on the basis of facts, not lies,” he wrote.
Pacolli also used strong language in criticizing those he says spread defamatory claims, accusing them of deliberately damaging people's reputations.
The statements attributed to Manjani and Curri, as well as Pacolli's allegations concerning them, remain part of a public dispute. Any claims of defamation or other wrongdoing would ultimately be matters for the relevant legal authorities and courts to assess.
Pacolli's announcement of potential proceedings in Tirana and Lugano could now move the dispute from television and social media into the legal sphere.