Journalist Artan Hoxha considers the investigation that led to the imposition of “house arrest” on the director of SHISH, Vlora Hyseni, as part of an issue that, according to him, may have larger dimensions.
Invited to the show “Albania Live” with Sidorela Gjon, Hoxha said that the data so far can only constitute a part of what can be revealed from the investigations.
“I think this is a very big file. It’s just a moment where the hand has been put in, because of the phones,” he declared.
During the interview, the journalist also spoke about Hyseni’s journey to leading the State Intelligence Service. Before taking this position, she had come from the Kosovo intelligence structures and had served as an advisor to Prime Minister Edi Rama on national security issues. In 2023, Rama proposed her to lead the SHISH.
According to Hoxha’s interpretation, her appointment should also be seen in the context of political relations between Albania and Kosovo at that time.
“Vlora came from the Kosovo Intelligence structures, removed from duty for a clash with Kurti. The moment Rama took her over, friction between Rama and Kurti had begun. She had a lot of information about Kosovo. She was an advisor to the prime minister. Rama often does this, to get information from Kosovo. The person who took the most significant position was the one in the secret service,” the journalist said.
Hoxha also underlined the importance of the position of the head of SHISH, referring to Albania’s membership in NATO and the cooperation of Albanian services with partner structures.
“We are a NATO member country and the secret service is important, it interacts and carries out joint operations,” he said.
Another element he commented on was the fact that Hyseni was in Azerbaijan at the time the security measure against her was reported. Hoxha expressed his belief that the court decision was not made on the very day the news became public.
“Not long after today, the boss is in Azerbaijan. I am convinced that the security measure was not taken today. House arrest is the same as prison arrest, it was given as a mitigating measure,” Hoxha declared.
Regarding the possibility of the SHISH director returning to Albania, the journalist said that he does not expect her to escape legal responsibilities, while emphasizing that he is unaware of the level of evidence available to the justice authorities.
“Yes, we are a European country, a member of NATO. We would like him to leave, because it makes the event even bigger, because it is the choice of the prime minister. But I am confident that it will not happen. I do not know the level of evidence, but I encourage prosecutors to deepen the investigations, to what extent the corruption has reached,” concluded Hoxha.