Balkan Investigative Reporting Network
Agron Halitaj has worked in journalism for over 20 years. He joined the BIRN team on February 1, 2024.
Throughout his career, he has worked as a political journalist and has held senior editorial positions in several media outlets in Kosovo. He is an opinion writer and an award-winning journalist. He defines the role of journalists in society with Frans Timmermans’ saying: “If journalists fall silent, our freedom is lost.”
BIRN Kosovo organised one-day trainings over December in Prishtina, Prizren, Mitrovica, Gjilan and Ferizaj for journalists, public relations officers and influencers on property rights and procedures for property registration.
During December, 80 participants have taken part in the five municipalities.
The first part of the training addressed common property problems and the legal bases that regulate property issues.
The second part of the training focused on changes to the Cadastre Law and the management of Cadastre Offices, the right of access to property information and the provision of information on property matters relating to the Law on Privacy and the Law on Cadastre.
Session leaders were Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief at KALLXO.com and Labinot Leposhtica, a legal expert.
BIRN will hold similar trainings in Peja and Gjakova over December.
The sessions are aimed at developing the capacity of journalists, influencers and local media – including editors and public relations officers as well as communication officers – on the new Law on Cadastre, contracts for the purchase and sale of movable real estate, the procedures for property registration and reporting on these issues.
This activity is part of the Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities in Kosovo PIAKOS project, in which BIRN acts as a co-implementing party.
The project is financed by the World Bank/State and Peace Building Trust Fund.
New report looks at national counter-terrorism strategy and assesses whether early intervention mechanisms are working.
The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in Kosovo, BIRN Kosovo, has published a new report, “Challenges of Terrorism Prevention Mechanisms in Kosovo”, presenting Kosovo’s problems in preventing and combating extremism and terrorism.
The analysis is supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, GCERF, as part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme.
The report looks at implementation of the national strategy and examines the development of an early intervention system to protect individuals at risk of radicalization and assesses the impact of government and non-government efforts in preventing violent extremism.
The findings of the report are the result of six months of research and monitoring work in 26 municipalities, including interviews with relevant stakeholders in Kosovo.
Speakers at the launch were: Xhelal Sveçla, Minister of Interior and National Coordinator for the State Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism; Khalid Koser, founder and director of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, GCERF, Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief of KALLXO.com, and Labinot Leposhtica.
“Kosovo has joined global coalitions in combating terrorism. Kosovo has taken responsibility for repatriating individuals from Syria, rehabilitating them, and reintegrating them into society. One of the main pillars of our five-year strategy 2023-2028 is the inclusion of local mechanisms and civil society,” Sveçla said.
Koser of GCERF complimented the methods used for the report, such as surveys and interviews, saying: “I believe the methodology makes this a legitimate report that we should take seriously.”
Gashi, editor at Kallxo.com, highlighted the importance of cooperation between civil society and the government in achieving meaningful implementation of the strategy as well as the impact of concrete actions and measures on progressing the situation in Kosovo.
The author of the report, Labiot Leposhtica, noted: “The majority of municipalities, 20 out of 26, reported serious problems in understanding the strategic document (National Strategy). This is a significant issue because the consequences are collateral.”
The 60 participants at the event, 19 of whom were women, included individuals from both central and local government, experts, diplomats, members of religious communities and media representatives.
The report is accessible online here:
AL: Sfidat e mekanizmave të parandalimit të terrorizmit në Kosovë
SRB: Izazovi mehanizma za suzbijanje terorizma na Kosovu
ENG: Challenges of Terrorism Prevention Mechanisms in Kosovo
This activity formed part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme, funded by GCERF.
Two-day workshop was designed to equip journalists with the skills they need to shed light on financial crimes.
On November 29–30, BIRN Kosovo trained 29 journalists and freelancers in Prishtina on ways to enhance their ability to investigate and report on money laundering.
The event, organised by BIRN Kosovo and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, FCDO, aimed to equip journalists with the skills they need to shed light on financial crimes, a critical area often shrouded in complexity.
The training included a diverse lineup of experts, including financial forensics specialists, intelligence officers and prosecutors. The workshop underscored the role of journalism in promoting accountability and transparency, by uncovering financial misconduct.
Day one began with an introduction to the Joint Intelligence Network Against Money Laundering, delivered by Besnik Veseli, from the Tax Administration of Kosovo.
This session set the stage for a detailed examination of money laundering schemes, real-life cases in Kosovo and successful investigative methods drawn from the UK.
Alan Barr and Nick Wilcox, key figures in the UK-Kosovo Anti-Money Laundering Programme, provided insights into the challenges of combating financial crime in the Balkans.
A highlight was a practical exercise led by Visar Prebreza, a financial forensics expert, in which participants worked in groups to apply investigative techniques to hypothetical scenarios.
The day concluded with a working dinner at which Kosovo’s Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Ersan Qavolli, discussed the challenges of tackling money laundering cases.
The second day delved into practical aspects of journalism, with sessions on tracing money laundering through tax and company records and company.
Journalists explored ways to identify high-risk sectors and typologies, analyze case studies and leverage their right to access information under Kosovo’s laws.
In a collaborative exercise, participants explored a fictional case of a company suspected of money laundering. Guided by the experts, they developed strategies to track money flows, draft investigative plans, and identify red flags.
Kreshnik Gashi, editor-in-chief of KALLXO.com, guided participants through the complexities of reporting on money laundering. He led sessions on understanding the right to access information crucial for uncovering financial crimes and on ways journalists can use investigative tools to expose illicit financial activities.
Gashi also explored the consequences of failing to investigate money laundering, shedding light on how unchecked financial crimes can fuel corruption and organised crime.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between journalists and institutions, highlighting how investigative reporting can hold authorities accountable and empower citizens to demand transparency.
The workshop stressed the importance of journalism in combating financial crime. By providing journalists with the tools to investigate complex cases, it will help to foster a more informed and vigilant media landscape in Kosovo. As financial crime evolves, such initiatives will be key to ensuring transparency and upholding the rule of law.
Kreshnik Gashi is Editor-in-Chief of KALLXO.com (BIRN Kosovo), having joined BIRN in 2012.
He is a law graduate and has won over 20 journalistic prizes for his investigations into corruption and abuse of public duty.
He is the author of over ten in-depth, comprehensive reports on terrorism, corruption, transitional justice, media financing, disinformation and gender-based violence/gender equality in Kosovo.
Recently, he won an EU Award for Investigative Journalism (first prize).
Let’s meet him!
My decision to delve into investigative journalism stems from my professional background and aspirations. Having studied law, I initially envisioned a career as a prosecutor focused on serious crimes. However, on entering journalism, I realised the profound impact I could have in uncovering crime and corruption through in-depth investigations. Journalism offered me a broader platform to expose wrongdoing and contribute meaningfully to public accountability. This realisation motivated me to change my focus from prosecution to investigative reporting, where I found both success and personal fulfillment in uncovering systemic abuses of power.
Corruption and crime are deeply embedded in various aspects of life in the Balkans, making investigative journalism both challenging and crucial. Over the years, I have uncovered organised crime networks spanning from the judiciary to the environment. My preference lies not in the medium, be it TV programmes or articles, but in the completeness of the investigation itself. What drives me is the thoroughness of the research and the precision with which those responsible for misconduct are identified and exposed. This comprehensive approach ensures accountability and empowers the public with actionable knowledge.
Every time I publish a significant investigation, I feel a sense of achievement, often believing that it may be the pinnacle of my career. Yet, experience has shown that each new investigation builds upon the last, raising the standard for what is possible. These results – such as the arrests and indictments – validate the importance of investigative journalism and its role in fostering accountability. When I reflect on these outcomes, I am reminded that the pursuit of truth is an ongoing journey, and there is always more to uncover.
Professional growth is a cornerstone of my career, and I dedicate considerable time to both attending and delivering advanced training. Each year, I personally attend over 10 specialized trainings in diverse fields. As a certified trainer, I have developed comprehensive programmes on topics ranging from terrorism, money laundering and organised crime to whistleblower protection, identifying disinformation narratives and gender-based violence reporting. My training programmes are tailored to various audiences, including journalists, lawyers, students, and public officials. For specific institutions, such as the police, prosecution, courts, tax administration and customs authorities in Kosovo, I have designed specialised modules on public communication and countering disinformation. These efforts aim to equip stakeholders with the skills needed to navigate complex challenges and enhance transparency.
Awards serve as both recognition of the hard work behind investigative journalism and as motivation to strive for greater excellence. Winning the EU Award for Best Investigative Journalism in 2024, alongside Behar Mustafa, was a recognition of our dedication to uncovering corruption in Brezovica. For me, these accolades are not just about prestige but also a personal challenge to surpass my own benchmarks. Each award pushes me to innovate, dig deeper, and remain competitive with my peers, ensuring that my work continues to make a meaningful impact.
US-Sanctioned Serb’s Company Subcontracts Work to Kosovo Albanians
This investigation uncovered how organised crime groups from Kosovo funneled illicit funds into projects in Ulcinj, exposing the international reach of corruption.
The Appeals Chief Prosecutor Bribery Case
This exposé revealed that the chief prosecutor of appeals accepted a bribe of 300,000 euros, a story that sent shockwaves through the justice system.
These stories exemplify the transformative power of investigative journalism in holding individuals and systems accountable.
BIRN Kosovo organized a one-day training session with Municipality of Podujeva officials on November 22 aimed at equipping them with more knowledge on the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism and enhancing local capacities in understanding the strategy, the efforts and dealing with pressing security challenges that are posed by extremism.
This training covered aspects such as introduction to terrorism and different forms of violent extremism and continued with the strategic objectives of the Strategy. Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Office and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo and Member of the Working Group for National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, highlighted the role of the local level in countering extremism and terrorism especially within the local communities and the actual need for local implementation of the strategy.
Milot Sfishta, a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, emphasized the crucial role of local authorities in meeting the objectives of the Strategy and explained in detail through a presentation an overview of the current situation returnees while highlighting the importance of the local-level on the process in general.
A total of 16 participants attended the training, out of which, five women, reflected a diverse group of municipal representatives and municipal staff members of the Municipality of Podujeve.
By the conclusion of the training, participants were left with a deeper understanding of the national strategy as well as an increased awareness of their responsibilities as public servants. This training is aimed at serving a safer and more resilient community, better prepared to face the realities of violent extremism.
The event was conducted as part of the ‘Resilient Community Programme’ established by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).
BIRN Kosovo will organise seven one-day training sessions for journalists on property rights and administrative procedures for property registration as a part of the project “Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities in Kosovo (PIAKOS)”, financed by the World Bank/State and Peace Building Trust Fund.
The training sessions aim to develop the capacity of journalists and local media influencers, including editors and public relations officers on the new cadastre law, trade contracts of movable and immovable property, administrative procedures for property registration and how to report on these issues.
The training sessions delivered by legal experts and editors from BIRN Kosovo will take place in seven municipalities: Prishtina, Prizren, Peja, Gjakova, Gjilan, Mitrovica and Ferizaj
This activity is part of the Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities in Kosovo PIAKOS project, with BIRN acting as co-implementing party. The project is financed by the World Bank/State and Peace Building Trust Fund.
Deadline for applications: 30 November, 2024
Link to apply: https://shorturl.at/3JZlp
Four-day course aimed at helping women prisoners reintegrate back into Kosovo society after release.
BIRN Kosovo held a four-day training course from November 6 to 12, 2024, at the Correctional Center in Lipjan with women prisoners.
The course aimed at preparing these 13 female prisoners for reintegration into society,focused on property law, financial management, and grant applications.
Over the four days, they were introduced to key concepts related to property ownership, financial independence, and access to grants.
The training was designed to provide practical skills that would help the women rebuild their lives and their transition back into society after release.
The training was divided into two groups, with each group attending for two consecutive days.
It began with an overview of property law, led by Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Office Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo. He explained the importance of property ownership, methods of acquiring property and the legal processes involved in registering and protecting property rights. This session provided participants with a basic understanding of how property rights can affect their financial security and independence.
The next session, led by Kreshnik Gashi, Editor-in-Chief of KALLXO.com, focused on the legal and institutional frameworks that protect property rights. Gashi discussed the role of mechanisms such as the Free Legal Aid Agency in securing property rights and outlined the steps women can take if they encounter problems with property rights.
The second day focused on financial management and practical skills for self-reliance.
Albulena Sadiku, Senior Programs Manager at BIRN Kosovo, led a session on writing project proposals. She discussed how to structure proposals, define clear objectives and outline activities for successful project outcomes. Sadiku emphasized the importance of project management skills, covering essential steps for effective project implementation and monitoring.
Later, Visar Prebreza, Managing Editor of KALLXO.com, led a session on starting a business and applying for grants. He provided guidance on identifying grant opportunities, understanding eligibility requirements and overcoming the challenges of the grant application process.
The women were encouraged to actively participate by asking questions and sharing experiences. The interactive format allowed for a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical insights that they could immediately apply to their personal situations.
By equipping participants with essential skills in property law, financial management and grant writing, the program aimed to help the women regain control of their lives and achieve long-term stability.
The goal was to give the women the tools and confidence they need to live independently and successfully reintegrate into society. By the end of the course, participants said they had gained valuable knowledge and practical skills.
The training was organized as part of the PIAKOS – Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities in Kosovo – project with BIRN acting as co-implementing party. The project is financed by the World Bank/State and Peacebuilding fund.
Five-day training course (24-28 of October 2024) was organised into specific segments, allowing participants to better understand extremism within local, regional, and global contexts.
The training began at Civil Society House in Prishtina, where representatives of GCERF – Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund – and NGOs shared experiences in combating extremism and terrorism, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration in Kosovo.
Organisations including ATRC – Advocacy Training and Resource Centre – the youth organisation RinON, and BIRN Kosovo discussed their efforts to combat religious extremism and ethnonationalism. The second part of the day involved a meeting in Hani i Elezit with Mayor Mehmet Ballazhi, who praised the municipality’s approach towards rehabilitating returnees and engaging the community.
The head of the Referral Mechanism emphasized their active cooperation with civil society organisations and with BIRN Kosovo, particularly on skills like cybersecurity and privacy documentation.
The second day featured an address by Kreshnik Gashi from Kallxo.com, on ethical reporting on violent extremism and terrorism. Labinot Leposhtica, from BIRN Kosovo, presented studies on the causes of extremism and the reintegration of returnees, contrasting Albania’s targeted approach with that of Kosovo.
Lejdi Dervishi, Albania’s National Coordinator on Countering Extremism, discussed the importance of regional cooperation in rehabilitation efforts. Iris Luarasi from the Counseling Line for Women and Girls emphasized advocacy and strategic communication to combat the stigma faced by returnees, highlighting issues surrounding identity exposure in media coverage.
The day concluded with a documentary screening by BIRN, Extremism and Radicalism, which explored various perspectives on the motivations behind joining foreign conflicts.
On the third day of training, Kreshnik Gashi gave a presentation on right-wing extremist groups in the Balkans, followed by Mensur Hoti’s overview of Kosovo’s anti-terrorism strategy, encompassing prevention, protection, pursuit, and response.
Fatos Makolli discussed the current terrorism situation in Kosovo, while Luan Keka led a session on the rise of religious extremism in Europe and its impact in Kosovo. The day concluded with a panel on the reintegration of individuals returning from war zones and a documentary, The Danger from Extremism, highlighting updated perspectives on extremism and terrorism cases.
The fourth day was focused on building communication between security institutions and journalists in crisis situations and lessons learned from the case of Kosovo and building educational media campaigns to educate the public on the prevention of violent extremism, including the importance of building editorial policies to stop the spread of extremist ideologies in the media and social networks.
An important aspect of the day was the protection of privacy and confidentiality of persons involved in the resocialization process and concrete policies, especially for children and women.
On the final day, participants conducted a study visit to the Correctional facility of Dubrava in Istog, Kosovo, and by visiting this correctional centre, gained a more practical perspective on how those sentenced by courts for terrorism are doing their sentences.
The study visit was led by the director of this centre, which is one of the largest prisons in Kosovo, with a capacity for around 1,000 people.
He welcomed the group and explained in detail the process inside this facility, which includes educational and recreative programmes and monitoring of their actions by psychologists and other staff members of the centre.
The training included 20 participants, 10 of whom were women. The participants actively engaged in the training, sharing experiences and asking questions on how to effectively deal with terrorism and violent extremism.
The training was part of the “Resilient Community Programme” funded by GCERF.
New report highlights that donors often play a crucial role in supporting open data initiatives, which then stagnate once funding runs out.
On October 25, BIRN Kosovo held a conference to publish a report, “Data-Driven Governance: Strategies for Open Data in the Western Balkans”, which deals with the availability of open data and digitalization in the Western Balkans. A total of 27 participants, 15 of whom were women, attended.
Xheneta Murtezaj, researcher at BIRN Kosovo, opened the conference and presented the main. findings, stating that the research team had “reviewed how data is published, in what format, and whether it is accessible”.
According to Murtezaj, the report reveals that while donors play a crucial role in supporting open data and digitization initiatives, “new platforms often stagnate once donor funding ends, as institutions lack the willingness to push these projects forward independently”.
The report, based on the latest research on open data availability and digitalization in the Western Balkan, maps thousands of e-services and over 3,000 open data sets, including more than 50 interviews exploring key stakeholders’ capacities and engagement in these areas.
The research also highlights negative trends, such as data leaks, privacy breaches, inadequate responses to cyber-attacks and inconsistent policy applications, which pose significant challenges to progress.
The conference continued with a discussion panel moderated by Dorentina Kastrati, editor at BIRN, with panelists including: Arbian Arifi, acting chief of the Department for Data Protection at the Agency for Information and Privacy; Agron Ibishi, an IT expert in e-procurement at the Regulatory Commission for Public Procurement; Plator Avdiu, project manager at KDI and; Besfort Guri, board member of Free Libre Open Source Software Kosova, FLOSSK, an NGO.
According to Arban Arifi, open data “should be available on a state portal, with a designated official in each ministry responsible for updating the portal without the need for formal access requests”.
However, in some cases in Kosovo, municipalities have shared what is private information. For example, Gjakova municipality shared health data when distributing subsidies to people with special needs. The privacy agency fined the municipality, as “health data should not be equated with transparency”.
Avdiu from KDI said a major challenge with open data in Kosovo lies in its lack of interoperability across government sectors.
Agron Ibishi, an IT expert in public procurement, highlighted the advances made in open data since 2016 with the introduction of e-procurement aimed at streamlining processes and increasing efficiency for both contracting authorities and economic operators.
However, Besfort Guri, a board member of FLOSSK, emphasized that open data remains limited to specific sectors in Kosovo.
This public event is part of the “Open Data and Digitalization in the Western Balkans” grant supported by the Open Society Foundation Western Balkan and implemented by BIRN.
To read the full report, click this link.
