Flash News

An elderly woman in Lushnja dies after being stabbed in the neighborhood ambulance

After Tirana, KAS also decides to open the ballot boxes in Dibër

The murder saga, Alibej: It started after I gave Talo Çela's location

Albania-Serbia match/ Tirana in "total lockdown": 2000 police officers, anti-drone checks and traffic restrictions

Etel Haxhiaj challenges US police during arrest of immigrant, charged with assault

E-TJERA

Italian postal worker accused of vote rigging speaks out: I didn't open the ballots

Politiko 2025-06-03 21:00:57

Italian postal worker accused of vote rigging speaks out: I didn't open the

A simple post on the social network Facebook has engulfed Albanian citizen Sinan Patozi, an employee of the private DHL mail service in Florence, Italy, in a whirlwind of accusations and pressure.

The incident has taken on political dimensions, with prominent opposition figures accusing him of being involved in the manipulation of immigrant votes for the May 11 elections.

In an interview for the investigative show "Fiks Fare", Patozi stated that it all started when he published a photo on his personal Facebook profile with several ballots in his hand. He emphasizes that the photo was taken in the workplace, which is equipped with security cameras, and there was no malicious intent behind the posting.


"I did not open the ballots, nor did I have the opportunity to do so. I work as a distributor and another colleague would take the ballots to the emigrants' homes. They were filled out by citizens and collected later," said Patozi.

He adds that the fact that he had previously posted photos with Socialist Party figures, such as Erion Braçe and Taulant Balla, has led to him being labeled as a "patronageist" and supporter of the government.

After the photo was published, prominent opposition figures, such as Jozefina Topalli, Flamur Noka and Sali Berisha, reacted publicly, accusing Patoz of being part of a scheme to manipulate emigrant votes. Sali Berisha, during a public appearance, called Patoz a patronageist and published a screenshot from his personal Facebook profile, also showing photos of Patoz's daughter and wife.

Meanwhile, on social networks, denigrating and threatening comments have been directed at his personal address, including the phrase: "You're finished, you idiot!"

Patozi expresses his willingness to cooperate with justice and says that the investigation by SPAK is welcome. "I am open to being investigated, because the postman brought me my ballot and he took it. But I don't understand why my family should be made public. Why should they threaten me on Facebook?" he says to "Fiks Fare".

This situation, in addition to numerous accusations and threats, has also brought another problem, that of the risk of dismissal. "I have been in this job for 6 years and I have not received a single reprimand," concludes Patozi.

The case is now in the hands of the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), which has launched investigations into the emigrant voting process. There is still no official statement linking Sinan Patoz's name to any illegal activity, while the institutions responsible for elections have not commented on the specific case. Top Channel

Latest news