Secret Owners: The Intricate Web of Klan Kosova's Ownership
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Secret Owners: The Intricate Web of Klan Kosova's Ownership
Investigation reveals the convoluted ownership of Klan Kosova, raising concerns of hidden agendas and lack of transparency in Kosovo's media landscape.
KosovaNews.net, an online news portal based in Kosovo, has conducted an investigation into the ownership of the national television channel Klan Kosova, revealing surprising and scandalous findings. While the general public widely believed that Klan Kosova was owned by the Devolli brothers, specifically Shkëlqim Devolli, the investigation uncovers a different and more complicated truth.
The Devolli business empire has rapidly grown since the Democratic Party of Kosovo came to power in 2007. Shkëlqim Devolli, a close associate of Adem Grabovci, known as the "boss of bosses" of Kosovo, was involved in the "Pronto" scandal. In intercepted phone conversations between Adem Grabovci and Shkëlqim Devolli, they discuss signed documents, revealing their close relationship.
Within a span of ten years, Blerim and Shkëlqim Devolli established numerous businesses, dominating various sectors of Kosovo's economy, including customs terminals, car homologation, coffee, flour, milk, telecommunications with Z-Mobile, internet and cable TV provider Art Motion, and finally the largest television station in the country, Klan Kosova.
However, the investigation raises questions about the true owner of Klan Kosova. More than 200 pages of secured documents from Kosovo and North Macedonia institutions fail to mention the name of businessman Shkëlqim Devolli. The ownership of Klan Kosova, based on the obtained documents, is extremely convoluted. It starts with an Albanian citizen registering the company in 2008, followed by its purchase by a Kosovar citizen in 2013. Subsequently, the ownership is transferred to the owner's company in North Macedonia, where it is registered as Serbian-owned. In 2015, the company is sold to tax havens in the British Virgin Islands and ended up back in North Macedonia in 2021. The current owner is registered as a foreign citizen from Serbia, with an address in "Djakovica, Serbia," according to the official documents of his company, which is incorporated in North Macedonia as a member company (DOOeL).
Remarkably, the address of the owner in Serbia is listed as "Ul. Hisni Zajmi, Djakovica, Serbia." This implies that Djakovica, a city in southwestern Kosovo, is considered part of Serbia in the legal documents signed by the same individual. The official owner of Klan Kosova, according to these documents, is Kushtrim Gojani. He holds ownership through a holding company registered in North Macedonia. The company is registered as a foreign investment from Serbia, with an address in Djakovica, Serbia. The company's incorporation documents categorize the owner as a foreign citizen from Serbia.
The history of Klan Kosova reveals that it was initially registered in the Business Registration Agency of Kosovo in 2008, with the owner being Aleksandër Frangaj from the Republic of Albania. According to the official records of the agency, on August 14, 2013, the company was purchased by an anonymous person named Florent Nallbani, with a registered address in Prishtina. Despite attempts to contact Mr Nallbani, his whereabouts remain unknown.
On January 15, 2014, Florent Nallbani transferred the ownership of Klan Kosova to a Macedonian company called "K-Media Corporation DOOEL." During this period, Baton Haxhiu was appointed as the director of Klan Kosova and also served as the authorized representative of Klan Kosova Sh.P.K. From 2015 to 2020, the ownership of Klan Kosova was held in offshore jurisdictions, known as tax havens, making it ideal.
The Murky Ownership Journey of Klan Kosova
During this period, Klan Kosova changed ownership multiple times through offshore jurisdictions, commonly known as tax havens, making it an ideal tool for concealing the true owners. In 2015, the company was sold to a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, a well-known tax haven. The ultimate beneficiary of the British Virgin Islands company was not disclosed in the obtained documents.
However, in 2021, Klan Kosova's ownership returned to North Macedonia, and the current owner is registered as Kushtrim Gojani. His ownership is held through a holding company incorporated in North Macedonia. The company is registered as a foreign investment from Serbia, with an address in Djakovica, Serbia.
The fact that Djakovica is listed as part of Serbia in the official documents raises eyebrows, as Djakovica is a city located in southwestern Kosovo. This discrepancy suggests potential manipulation and raises concerns about the transparency and legality of the ownership structure.
The investigation also highlights the involvement of influential individuals and their connections to the Devolli brothers. Blerim and Shkëlqim Devolli are known for their close ties to the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo and their alleged association with Adem Grabovci, who holds significant influence over various sectors of Kosovo's economy. The intercepted phone conversations between Grabovci and Shkëlqim Devolli further suggest their strong relationship.
The convoluted ownership structure of Klan Kosova, combined with the alleged connections to influential figures, raises questions about the transparency and integrity of the media landscape in Kosovo. Media ownership plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and ensuring objective reporting. When media outlets are controlled by individuals with hidden agendas, it undermines the principles of press freedom and democracy.
The exclusive investigation conducted by KosovaPost.net sheds light on the complex web of ownership surrounding Klan Kosova, challenging the widely held belief that the Devolli brothers are the true owners. The findings call for further scrutiny and transparency in the media industry to ensure that the public receives unbiased and accurate information.
As the investigation continues to unfold, it is essential for relevant authorities and institutions to investigate the ownership of Klan Kosova thoroughly. Transparency and accountability are fundamental for a healthy and trustworthy media landscape, which is vital for the democratic functioning of any society.
SOURCE: Kosova News (note, this article is written in the Albanian language.)