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Constitutional Court grants rights to journalist Qyno, international organizations: Victory for media freedom

Politiko 2025-04-29 16:23:45

Constitutional Court grants rights to journalist Qyno, international

A group of 15 international organizations that defend media freedom and the safety of journalists has reacted after the unanimous decision of the Constitutional Court of Albania, which on April 22, 2025 ruled in favor of journalist Elton Qyno, overturning the orders to seize his equipment and reinforcing the importance of protecting journalistic sources.

Through a joint statement, the SafeJournalists Network, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), MFRR partners and a number of journalistic organizations from the Balkans, praised the decision as an important step in protecting freedom of expression and the rights of journalists in Albania.

According to the statement, the Constitutional Court has clearly confirmed that journalists cannot be forced to reveal their sources unless there is a clear risk to the public interest and there are no less intrusive measures to achieve the goal. “This is a key precedent for all cases where journalists face pressure from institutions,” the statement said.

The organizations demanded that the decision be implemented immediately, returning the seized equipment to Elton Qynos and officially confirming the deletion of all data copied during the investigation. They also called on SPAK and judicial institutions to respect international standards in handling cases involving journalists and public watchdogs.

Journalist Elton Qyno was questioned in December 2023 for leaking information from an investigative file for serious crimes. After a search of his apartment, the prosecution seized the journalist's phones and electronic devices. He considered these actions a violation of media freedom and his rights as an investigative journalist.

Earlier, in November 2024, the Special Court had imposed on him the measure of "compulsion to appear" in the framework of a passive corruption proceeding, related to a file involving Suel Çela's group. The appeal overturned this measure in January 2025, while the latest decision by the Constitutional Court marks a victory for the right to information and free journalism in Albania.

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