Journalist Klodiana Lala has called on SPAK to launch an investigation into the allegations raised by former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj, who published an audio recording mentioning the US-Israeli citizen Ron Yeffet and alleging suspected arms-trafficking activities in Albania.
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During the “First Minute” program, hosted by Ola Bruko on News24, Lala said the audio materials require immediate and thorough verification by the Special Prosecution Office. According to her, this is not just a matter of three episodes, but of hours of recordings that may contain information about other individuals and other corruption cases.
Lala also linked the issue to the forced removal of the News24, BalkanWeb and Panorama staff from their workplaces. She said that following Ahmetaj’s allegations, suspicions had grown that the company Kayo may have had a dual activity: engaging in illegal activity and silencing News24, a television station that has exposed corruption cases over the years.
According to the claims made public by Ahmetaj and commented on by the journalist, the weapons may have been procured in Africa and Sudan, brought to Albania to be assembled and packaged, and then transported to a European Union country or Ukraine.
“News24 has criticized Ahmetaj’s positions even when he failed to do his duty, but this time he has published evidence. Mr. Braho should launch an investigation ex officio into the allegations of arms trafficking and verify whether senior Albanian officials were involved in this scheme,” Lala declared.
She pointed out that Ahmetaj’s complaint mentions a person named “Ermal Raketa,” while in another recording Ron Yeffet mentions the name Ermal Nufi. However, she said that before investigating this connection, SPAK should also examine the circumstances surrounding News24’s eviction from the building.
Lala called for the full materials to be obtained through letters rogatory sent to foreign authorities and the European Union. She said the identities of all the people mentioned in the recordings should be verified, along with their entries into Albanian territory and the date on which Ron Yeffet entered Albania. She added that SPAK should contact the relevant authorities to obtain the complete recordings and begin questioning the people involved.
The journalist stated that News24’s premises and work equipment were taken by force after army forces removed the News24, BalkanWeb and Panorama staff from the building. She said the employees were not allowed to return to their workplaces or collect their equipment, while some of them are still inside the building.
“When News24 turned to SPAK over the eviction from the building, our complaint was not taken into consideration and there was a display of brutality. Today, following Ahmetaj’s allegations, suspicions about Kayo’s activities and arms trafficking have become even stronger. These audio recordings have seriously wounded Rama, even more than the protest, which today is the 101st in a row,” Lala said.
She added that Ahmetaj had spoken out before, but that this was the first time, according to her, that he had published evidence and facts on television in which Ron Yeffet appears. Lala called for a full investigation into the information made public, suggesting that SPAK obtain the audio materials from Syri TV and investigate all the people mentioned.
In conclusion, Lala revealed that News24 had sent SPAK an official letter seeking information on whether a criminal investigation would be launched into Arben Ahmetaj’s allegations. She also said the investigation should include the manner in which the television station’s premises and work equipment were taken.
