UPDATE, 7. Mai 2025, 7:27:
So far, seven people have contacted exxtra24 with information about Fate Velaj – the information is currently being reviewed.

Following revelations by “Fass ohne Boden” (FoB), investigative platforms are now demanding clarity – a whistleblower reward of €10,000 is intended to bring new facts to light.

TIRANA / VIENNA – The pressure is mounting. Following several exposés by the Austrian investigative platform Fass ohne Boden (FOB) and several Albanian media outlets about the Albanian ambassador in Vienna, Fate Velaj (also known as Fatmir Velaj), a broad journalistic information campaign is now being launched.

A consortium of several media outlets, together with the news platform exxtra24, has offered a reward of up to €10,000 for credible and verifiable information that could help shed light on Velaj’s private and business activities.

“We want to know which networks are really at work here behind the scenes – and who is benefiting from them,” a spokesperson for the media alliance told exxtra24.

Fass ohne Boden: ‘Questions unanswered – interests obscured’

Back in March and April, Fass ohne Boden reported in several articles on possible conflicts of interest surrounding Velaj. Among other things, they discussed his receipt of social welfare benefits in Vienna despite having assets of around 1.8 million euros, his lobbying in the field of arts promotion, dubious deals involving an olive grove, the hiding of his allegedly criminal sister-in-law in the Albanian embassy in Vienna, and opaque connections to institutions in Albania, Austria, and Brussels.

One of the articles, entitled “Fate Velaj: Art as a stage for power” and published on March 20, 2025, states:

“The cultural diplomat Velaj seems to be adept at weaving himself into international networks – but much remains unclear about money flows, subsidies, and influence.” (Source: www.fob.at)

Another article dated April 5, 2025, suggests that Velaj uses his positions “between politics, art, and lobbying” to gain access to decision-makers in several countries – without disclosing clear accountability structures.

Exxtra24: “No prejudgment – but full disclosure”

The platform exxtra24 emphasizes that the reward is not about prejudgment, but about journalistic clarification. “We don’t pay for rumors, but for verifiable information,” the editorial team says. Only information that stands up to legal and editorial scrutiny will be rewarded – ideally supported by documents, emails, contracts, or eyewitness accounts.

All informants will be granted complete anonymity upon request. The platform uses encrypted communication channels and promises legal protection for whistleblowers.

Who is Fate Velaj?

Velaj has been active in various roles for years: as an author, art organizer, political advisor, and alleged mediator between states, and now as Albania’s ambassador to Vienna. At the same time, he has connections to economic interests, foundations, and funding institutions. The exact structure of his activities remains unclear to the public.

The allegations

• Although Albanian President Bajram Begaj was against it, Velaj was appointed ambassador by Prime Minister Edi Rama – despite his lack of qualifications.
• Violations of international conventions
• At the time of his accreditation, Velaj had dual citizenship, a clear violation of Article 8 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
• Velaj is said to have received social welfare benefits in Austria, even though he himself stated in Albania that he had private assets of nearly 1.8 million euros.
• Protection of his allegedly criminal sister-in-law at the embassy?

The central question: Are there links between public funding, political contacts, and personal interests? Does he have a past connection to former Yugoslav secret services, as alleged in some reports? The platforms now want to expose these links.

Submit information anonymously and securely via exxtra24.at!

Anyone with credible information about Fate Velaj can contact us via the encrypted tip form at www.exxtra24.al. The reward of up to 10,000 euros will be paid out once the relevance and verifiability of the material has been confirmed.

Exxtra24 also invites other media outlets to participate in the investigative work!

Further sources:

• Fass ohne Boden (20.03.2025): “Fate Velaj: Art as a stage for power”, www.fob.at
• Fass ohne Boden (05.04.2025): “Politics, culture, influence – the Velaj network”, www.fob.at
• BoldNews (April 29, 2025): “SCANDAL/ Following a request from SPAK, Fate Velaj speaks at the embassy of Erjona Daupaj”
• Syri (April 29, 2025): SYRI TV/ Investigimi i ‘FOG’ zbardh skandalin e Fate Velaj, strehoi Erjona Daupaj në ambasadë! Ish-agjentja e BKH në kërkim për Toyota Yaris