Four phones of pseudo-journalist seized/ "The key" to the suspected extortion scheme

2026-02-12 22:53:00, Aktualitet CNA

CNA exclusively reported the arrest of journalist Elio Laze, who was detained in Tirana as part of the 'Portali 1' operation, after he was caught red-handed taking money to delete articles and blackmailing an official.

EXCLUSIVE/ Journalist fined for arrest
February 12, 13:21

Sources for CNA indicate that four phones have been seized from the fined pseudo-journalist Elio Laze, which will be examined.

The same sources told CNA that Laze has refused to provide the codes to unlock their mobile phones and experts are expected to unlock the phones and analyze the full communications to see other cases of extortion, but also of collaboration with other people who may have been involved in this criminal scheme, which includes fines, blackmail, threats, political orders for attacks, removal of articles, materials ordered for a fee, etc.

It is suspected that by dismantling the phones, a large criminal group could be revealed in the media, not only Elio Laze, but also other people, who have been under full surveillance by the Tirana Prosecutor's Office and the Police. Investigations are expected to reveal the truth.

We recall that CNA exclusively reported today the news of the arrest of the fine-charging pseudo-journalist Elio Laze, after he had fined a state official.

Details from the operation/ How the journalist who fined the fine was arrested
February 12, 13:55

Elio Laze continued to use his schemes of swearing, threats, blackmail and insults through a portal and after many investigations conducted by the Tirana Prosecutor's Office, the police have today put him in handcuffs by court decision.

CNA learned that the journalist who issued the fine had demanded large sums of money from the official and was caught red-handed by blue uniforms as the official was handing him the money. / CNA