The Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) published this Tuesday the official announcement regarding the mega-operation undertaken in Elbasan, where a criminal organization dealing with the trafficking of narcotics from Latin America was hit.

The criminal network was based in the city of Elbasan and extended its activity to the countries of the European Union and Latin America. According to SPAK, this criminal organization was led by Suel Çela, wanted by law enforcement agencies.

Among other things, the announcement reveals the official charges against the journalists Artan Hoxha and Elton Qyno, to whom the security measure “Compulsion to Appear” has been set.

Journalists of the Black Chronicle are accused of the criminal offense “Active corruption in the private sector”, committed in collaboration.

According to SPAK, the citizen Suel Çela rewarded the two journalists with illegal sums of money who then published articles and videos that misinformed by manipulating public opinion in favor of the criminal organization.

“M.L has aimed to manipulate public perception, presenting his rivals as untouchable because of the suspected connections they may have with politics. The push for property investigations within the OFL and the encouragement of the media to obtain testimony from individuals who could incriminate his rivals would, according to him, create in the public opinion the perception that these rivals, due to suspected political connections, have become “untouchable”. This strategy, which involves manipulating information and influencing public opinion, would not only increase his positions, but at the same time would harm the interests of his rivals.

It is suspected that M.L has realized these goals through cooperation with journalists A.H. and E.Q, who, against illegal monetary benefits, have taken positions in the media, as well as published articles and videos that misinformed and manipulated public opinion”, says the announcement of SPAK.