A new confrontation between institutions and the media has erupted in Kosovo after Sami Kurteshi, a member of the Central Election Commission (CEC) and a senior figure within Vetevendosje, launched an attack on the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK) and several newsrooms, calling them an “alliance of criminal groups,” “paid killers,” and “idiots.”
The outburst came after a physical incident two days earlier, when Kurteshi pushed a journalist who had approached CEC chair Albana Krasniqi with a question during a commission session. Kurteshi shouted at reporters to move to the designated media area, accusing them of “recording members’ computers” and insisting they had “no right” to come closer.
AGK: Long-Standing Pattern of Hostility
The AGK condemned Kurteshi’s actions as “aggressive and unacceptable,” urging the CEC to ensure journalists can work safely and reminding the public that Kurteshi has a history of confrontations with the media.
Board member Besnik Velija said the rhetoric was “nothing new” from Vetevendosje officials.
Kurteshi Escalates: Media as “Paid Killers”
In a lengthy reaction issued the following day, Kurteshi doubled down on his accusations, referring to AGK as an “Alliance of Criminal Groups” and claiming it had “angrily rushed to defend the owners of loudspeakers of organized crime and disinformation.”
He listed several media outlets—including Vox, Periskopi, Klan TV, Gazeta Express, Telegrafi, Reporteri, Insajderi, and Paparaci—as “organized criminals” and, in his words, even “paid killers.”
Kurteshi went on to describe AGK members as “either idiots or criminal, deranged minds of paid killers,” accusing them of lying, fabricating events, and attempting to “monopolize and suffocate freedom of expression.” He argued that journalists were acting on behalf of their “masters,” who he accused of “killing human dignity.”
AGK Calls for Kurteshi’s Dismissal
The AGK responded that Kurteshi’s claims were not only baseless but posed a “real risk” of future attacks on journalists. The association called his remarks “irresponsible, offensive and dangerous” and urged Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani to consider removing him from the CEC:
“These inciting and inflammatory statements represent a continuation of a campaign of lynching journalists, intended to intimidate them and undermine media freedom.”
Regional Media Network: “Extremely Dangerous Rhetoric”
The regional SafeJournalists network also condemned Kurteshi’s statements, warning that such language puts journalists at real risk. They emphasized that this was not the first time Kurteshi had publicly targeted media:
“His statements are extremely inflammatory and unfounded, and they seriously endanger AGK, journalists, and media outlets performing their professional duties.”
The network urged acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Vetevendosje to “put an end, once and for all, to such harmful practices.”
International Community: Media Freedom Is Non-Negotiable
International reactions followed swiftly.
The EU Office in Kosovo condemned both Kurteshi’s behavior and the language he used, stressing that such practices must end:
“Media freedom must be protected in any democratic society.”
@EUKosovo deplores the attack and language used by LVV’s CEC member Sami Kurteshi, who labelled @AGK_AJK an “alliance of criminal groups” & urges for such practices to end.#MediaFreedom must be protected in any democratic society – 🇪🇺 will keep supporting 🇽🇰 in its development.
— European Union in Kosovo (@EUKosovo) December 4, 2025
French ambassador Olivier Guérot shared the EU’s statement, saying he fully supports it, adding that the media are part of a functional democracy.
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo called Kurteshi’s actions “unacceptable,” reminding public officials in independent institutions that they must uphold the highest standards of professionalism and respect.
Wider Concerns: Media Freedom at Its Lowest Point in a Decade
Kurteshi’s remarks come amid broader concerns over deteriorating media freedoms in Kosovo. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Vetevendosje have been repeatedly criticized for hostility toward journalists—avoiding questions, accusing certain media of ties to Serbia, seeking to revoke licenses (including in the past the license of Klan Kosova), and boycotting critical outlets during election campaigns.
According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Kosovo dropped 24 places in this year’s global press freedom index, falling to 99th—the lowest ranking in a decade and the worst in the region.
AGK has warned of an increasingly “hostile policy” by the government, citing political attacks, branding journalists as “enemy collaborators,” a rise in SLAPP lawsuits, restrictions on access to public documents, and physical obstacles to reporting. Despite criticism from international watchdogs—and even after the RSF report—pressure on media has continued, particularly amid the ongoing crisis within the public broadcaster RTK.
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