Taulant Kopliku/ From Le Iene to the rescue of Alvin in Syria, investigative journalism at the limits of danger

Investigative journalist Taulant Kopliku, known for his work on the famous Italian show "Le Iene" and most recently with "Piranjat" in Albania, was invited to Alfred Lela's "Pasvon" podcast to recount his extraordinary experiences, from the rescue of Alvin Berisha in ISIS camps to the challenges of investigative journalism in the country.

The “Le Iene” journalism school and Alvin’s rescue

Koplik describes his seven-year experience at “Le Iene” as “the greatest school of life.” Even though he has been working in Albania for four years now, he maintains strong ties with his former colleagues.

One of the cases that made him known to the Albanian public was the story of Alvin Berisha, the boy stranded in the camps of Syria. The persistence of Kopliku and his team made it possible for him to return home. “We have constant contact with Alvin’s father, Afrimi. That man and his son have remained like a tattoo on our souls,” says Kopliku, adding that Alvin today lives a normal life like any other Italian teenager in the province of Lecco.

According to him, this case showed the power of the media. “Alvin’s arrival was a spark that ignited a kind of revolt in Albania for the children and women left in those camps. Their numbers began to be revealed and, despite delays by the authorities, almost all the children have returned ,” he emphasizes.

Facing the reality of the Syrian camps

Koplik recounts his two visits to the camps in Syria, an experience he describes as shocking. He points out the stark contrast between Al-Hol camp, the "horror camp," and Roj camp, which served as a deradicalization center.

In Al-Hol, where about 80,000 people were held, the approach of indoctrinated children was extremely aggressive. “Those children need to be taken urgently, because every week that passes there only deepens their indoctrination ,” he explains.

"My cameraman was injured with stones, while the children made marks on our throats. The tension was constant, as ISIS cells were always around the camp trying to free their families."

In the Roj camp, the situation was completely different. The Albanian children were calm and approachable, while the women showed signs of remorse and a desire to return to normality. He singles out the story of Brunilda Koçollari, who, after losing several husbands in the war, managed to escape and today leads a normal life in Europe.

Investigative journalism in Albania: Between blackmail and pressure

Speaking on his show "Piranjat," Kopliku touches on some of the challenges of the Albanian media landscape. He talks about their departure from ABC News after the sale of the television station, describing coexistence with the new leaders as "difficult," where control over every topic was required.

Regarding the accusations that investigative shows impose "fines", Kopliku says: " It's a stereotype created by past experiences. What makes me happy is the fact that many people find support in us."

He reveals that 90% of the topics come from citizen reports, but many of them are dropped because whistleblowers are afraid to report them. “There are cases when citizens use us for blackmail. They come with documents for a debt and tell the other party ‘I got involved with the Piranhas.’ Once they resolve it, they tell us they no longer need us .”

Based on the philosophy of “Le Iene”, Kopliku believes that journalists should not be victimized for minor incidents. “Small clashes are part of the job. We should be quieter heroes, unlike the current practice where every time the microphone is pushed, a big noise is made.”

Shkodra and identity

At the end of the conversation, Kopliku talks about his connection to Shkodra. Regarding the expression “being from Shkodra, you do what you do,” he says with humor: “Others did it for us, but it suits us.” He describes Tirana simply as a place to work, while he always spends his weekends in his hometown.

Asked about the criticism he receives from fellow citizens for using standard language on television, he admits that "the people of Shkodra massacre him," but sees it as a professional obligation to be understandable to everyone.

Commenting on MP Mariana Koçeku's speech in dialect, he sees it as a positive sign of "the revival of the essence of Shkodra", although he emphasizes that the standard language remains necessary in institutions.

Watch the full interview: