The Mayor of Himara, Vangjel Tavo, has reacted to some news published in some media outlets that include his name in connection with SPAK wiretapping in the file known as “Aruba”.
In a post on social media, Tavo calls the allegations unfounded and denies having had any role or authority related to the aforementioned issue.
According to him, the allusions refer to a wiretap in July 2024, a period when he was not the mayor of Himara. Tavo also emphasizes that Grama Bay is not under the administrative jurisdiction of Himara Municipality, but belongs to Vlora Municipality.
The mayor also took aim at opposition MPs who, according to him, are unaware of these territorial divisions. He also called on the media to verify information before publishing news.
” This is even more inexcusable for opposition MPs, who also originate from these parts and do not know “such small details”, but run to become the transmitters of these ugly accusations, claiming that they are referring to “the media”. Which media? “, he adds.
Full post:
Aruba and the Arubans of the Albanian media and opposition!
In recent days, “news” has been circulating on several portals and social networks about completely unfounded allegations, which include the name of the Mayor of Himara, Vangjel Tavo, in the so-called “SPAK wiretaps”, claiming that he has promised to donate millions of square meters of land in the Grama Bay area to people from the organized crime world.
I didn’t dare to respond to such madness. But when madness takes hold and opposition politicians join the “scam” and fined portals or journalists, I was forced to clarify for the public, and not for them, some gross untruths in this story.
First: The allegations relate to an interception of organized crime actors in July 2024. At that time, I was not mayor and did not hold any state leadership function, or have any decision-making authority related to the management of the territory.
Secondly: Even if I were the mayor of Himara, even if I had the opportunity to donate the municipality’s territories to one or the other, there is one very simple thing: Grama Bay, dear readers, journalists and deputies, is not under the administrative jurisdiction of the Himara Municipality. This geographical and tourist area belongs to the Municipality of Vlora, and Vangjel Tavo could not promise to “donate” it to anyone.
Third: Media or portals, with known and unknown owners, if they want to do investigative journalism, should do the next thing; call the person being attacked. Ask them! If they had done so, you would have learned that I had no duties at that time and the area in question is not at all under the jurisdiction of the municipality that I now lead.
Or you can just do a simple Google search and you’ll learn the same things even faster, without making mistakes that prove ignorance in every direction. But, it seems, the goal was not to become a journalist, but to denigrate a person and a public official.
This is even more inexcusable for opposition MPs, who also originate from these parts and do not know “such small details”, but rush to become the transmitters of these ugly accusations, claiming that they are referring to “the media”. Which media?
We can debate publicly, exchange remarks on any issue related to the quality of governance, municipal management, services, etc. We are open to everything. In a democratic society, public debate should be based on facts and transparency, not on rumors, insinuations and attempts to damage the reputation of individuals for political gain, or even with ordinary blackmail of fines.
I call on the media and anyone who contributes to the public space to show responsibility, verify information, and not become part of the spread of fake news.
I urge anyone who continues to spread these false claims, whether intentionally or simply by “copy-paste” for a few more clicks, to stop immediately. Any further attempts at mudslinging will be pursued legally and the perpetrators will face the appropriate consequences before the justice system.
The truth is not built on slander!
PS: I had no intention of reacting (as I have done in the past) to banal slander from portals or pseudo-journalists who impose fines, but when opposition MPs also become part of this nonsense because they want to politically benefit from the slander, I decided to clarify the above once and for all.