Kallxo.com announced on Wednesday it will file a defamation lawsuit against Obiliq Mayor Halil Thaçi after he accused Kallxo.com journalists of blackmail following his questioning by Kosovo’s Special Prosecution in connection with an investigation into influence on expropriations in the village of Shipitullë.

Thaçi appeared before the Special Prosecution Office on Wednesday in connection with the Kallxo.com investigation into allegations of influence over expropriations related to coal mining by the Kosovo Energy Corporation, KEK.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Thaçi said he had been questioned as a witness and “would cooperate with prosecutors.”

However, the Special Prosecution Office told Kallxo.com that Thaçi had been interviewed as a suspect in a case involving the alleged crime of “trading in influence.”

“We can confirm that H.Th. was interviewed by the Special Prosecution as a defendant within investigative proceedings related to expropriations in the village of Shipitullë, under suspicion of committing the criminal offence of trading in influence,” prosecution spokesperson Nora Luta stated.

When asked by Kallxo.com journalist Shqipron Xhema, who conducted the investigation, whether he had been questioned about interference in the expropriation boundaries, Thaçi replied: “I have told them that Kallxo.com called me for three months. I did not give in to the media’s blackmail, and I will never be blackmailed or threatened.”

Following Thaçi’s remarks, Kallxo.com denied his allegations that its journalists had attempted to blackmail him while reporting on the case.

“This is one of the most serious attacks on investigative journalism in the past year. It is an attack coming directly from a politician who is under investigation in a corruption case”, Kreshnik Gashi, Editor-in-Chief of Kallxo.com noted.

“It is an attack on freedom of expression, on the right to conduct investigative journalism, and on the credibility of media outlets that dare to investigate cases like this”, he further added.

Kallxo.com recorded every communication with Thaçi. Journalist Shqipron Xhema had first contacted Thaçi on June 5, 2024, more than a month, or 40 days, before publication, for his response to the findings.

The allegations concern Kallxo.com’s investigation titled “Intervention of a Vetëvendosje MP in the Shipitullë Expropriations,” published in July 2024. The investigation included covert recordings in which Thaçi, then a Vetëvendosje MP, was heard promising to influence members of the parliamentary committee responsible for mining and minerals in relation to high-value expropriations in Shipitullë.

The investigation was based on materials provided to Kallxo.com by whistleblowers. 

Kallxo.com added that more than two years have passed since the investigation was published and Thaçi has never previously alleged that its team had blackmailed him.

Kallxo.com also called on Vetëvendosje’s leader and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti to publicly distance himself from the mayor’s remarks.