Albania’s Constitutional Court has struck a decisive blow for press freedom, ruling that the seizure of an investigative journalist’s devices by anti-corruption prosecutors violated constitutional protections—setting a new standard for the protection of journalistic sources in the country.

Press freedom in Albania received a major boost on April 22, 2025, as the country’s Constitutional Court unanimously sided with investigative journalist Elton Qyno, ruling that the seizure of his electronic devices by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) was unconstitutional. As Tirfax News and Media Defence report, the court found that SPAK’s actions violated core principles protecting journalistic freedom and the confidentiality of sources.

Background: Investigative Reporting Leads to Raid

The landmark decision stems from an incident in December 2023, when Qyno—then reporting for Ora News—published details from a high-profile SPAK investigation into organised crime. When summoned for questioning, Qyno refused to reveal his sources, prompting SPAK to obtain a court order for a search of his home and workplace, seizing his personal and professional electronic devices. According to Citizens.al and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, this heavy-handed response by authorities triggered immediate concern among media advocates (Citizens.al, ecpmf.eu, Media Defence).

Court: Measures Must Be Last Resort

In its verdict, the Constitutional Court emphasised that the measures taken against Qyno infringed upon his rights under both the Albanian Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. As highlighted by Politiko and Tirfax News, the judges stressed that authorities must exhaust all alternative means before resorting to actions that compromise press freedom and source confidentiality. The court found SPAK’s actions unjustified, lacking sufficient evidence of an overriding public interest.

A Precedent for Press Freedom

This ruling is seen by legal experts and press advocates as a crucial precedent, reinforcing the protection of journalistic sources and sending a clear message to law enforcement: respect for constitutional rights and international press standards is not optional. The case has already sparked widespread discussion on social media, including the platform X (formerly Twitter), and among international media watchdogs, who view the decision as a milestone for media independence in Albania.