The Shadow Web: Unveiling the Intricate Web of Media Ownership in Kosovo

The revelations surrounding companies like ArtMotion highlight the hidden forces shaping the media landscape, posing a threat to transparency, competition, and the free flow of information.

Following the investigation into the ownership of Klan Kosova shpk, www.kosovanews.net has continued its investigation into another company connected to the Devolli brothers.

The company in question is ArtMotion, which has monopolized the internet and television cable network, particularly in the sports content sector, effectively establishing a monopoly in the entire territory of Kosovo.

Contrary to previous beliefs that Art Motion Sh.P.K was owned by the Devolli brothers, the investigation conducted by KosovaNews has revealed a shocking truth based on facts and documents. The ownership of Art Motion Sh.P.K is complicated and involves a fictitious owner.

Hundreds of documents obtained from institutions in the Republic of Kosovo and North Macedonia reveal that the ownership of Art Motion Sh.P.K is also convoluted and involves a fictitious owner.

Based on Kosova News investigation, it appears that the ownership data has been intentionally manipulated to conceal the truth. However, once the true ownership is discovered, the data reveals scandalous information.

According to data from the Kosovo Business Registration Agency (ARBK), the company that owns Art Motion Sh.P.K is another company registered in Kosovo, namely AM Invest Group Sh.P.K. However, the owner of this company is another company named "am invest group holding" dooel. On the ARBK website, apart from the name, there is no information about the origin of this company. Therefore, the country, address, owner, etc., are unknown, which is precisely where the "rabbit hole" lies.

Kosova News outlet claims to have uncovered that this company is registered in North Macedonia. Based on the registration documents obtained from the Central Business Register of North Macedonia, the company "am invest group holding" dooel is registered as a holding company, owned by a Serbian passport holder and presented as a foreign investment from SERBIA! Yes, you read that right, from Serbia, and the sole owner listed is Mr. Valon Shala, with a residential address of "Ul. Leke Dukadjini br 33-1 Peç, Država: Srbija," translated into English as "Street: Lekë Dukagjini nr.33-1, Country: Serbia."

Meanwhile, in Kosovo, according to publicly available data on the ARBK website, Mr. Valon Shala is listed as the director of ArtMotion, even though based on the documents THE FRONTLINER have seen as presented by Kosova News who obtained such data also on the Art Motion LinkedIn page, the director is Mr. Kushtrim Gojani, who, based on a previous investigation by KosovaNews, is the true owner of the company that owns Klan Kosova shpk.

But how and why did the ownership of Art Motion transfer from Kosovo to North Macedonia, where it was registered with Serbian documents?

According to the ownership history of ArtMotion, obtained by KosovaNews through access to public documents, ArtMotion was initially a local cable operator registered with ARBK in 2002 as a Sole Proprietorship, owned by Mr. Muharrem Hajredini. On July 3, 2017, "ArtMotion" BI was acquired by the company "AM Invest Group" shpk (NRB: 71356337), where Mr. Valon Shala from Peja is listed as the director. On July 5, 2017, through a share transfer agreement, Mr. Valon Shala from Peja donated 100% of the shares of "ArtMotion" shpk to the Kosovar company "AM Invest Group" shpk (NRB: 71356337), of which he is also the director.

Earlier, on January 26, 2017, Mr. Valon Shala had founded a limited liability company in Skopje, North Macedonia, called "AM Invest Group" dooel. The company was registered as a holding company and presented as a foreign investment from Serbia, with Mr. Valon Shala listed as the sole owner.

Then, on July 5, 2017, a share transfer agreement took place, in which Mr. Valon Shala from Peja donated 100% of the shares of "ArtMotion" shpk to the Kosovar company "AM Invest Group" shpk (NRB: 71356337), of which he is also the director. This transfer effectively shifted the ownership of ArtMotion to Kosovo.

However, despite this transfer, the ownership of ArtMotion was subsequently manipulated. On the Kosovo Business Registration Agency (ARBK) website, the owner of ArtMotion is listed as the company "am invest group holding" dooel, registered in North Macedonia. This is the company where Mr. Valon Shala is listed as the owner with a Serbian residential address.

The investigation by KosovaNews raises questions about the true ownership and motives behind such convoluted arrangements. It suggests that the ownership data has been intentionally manipulated to create a facade and hide the actual owners and their interests.

These findings add to the growing concerns about the concentration of media ownership in Kosovo and the lack of transparency surrounding it. The Devolli brothers' involvement in Klan Kosova shpk and the complicated ownership structure of ArtMotion raise questions about media pluralism, competition, and potential monopolistic practices within the industry.

KosovaNews appears determined to continue to investigate and shed light on these matters, striving to uncover the truth behind the ownership of media companies in Kosovo and the impact it has on the media landscape and freedom of information.

Please note that the information provided is based on the investigative report by KosovaNews.

Kosovo hosting news outlets funded by Serbia, a country aligned with the Kremlin and involved in territorial and constitutional aggression against the Republic of Kosovo, poses significant dangers. The presence of these outlets raises concerns about the potential for biased reporting, disinformation campaigns, and the manipulation of public opinion. Furthermore, given the geopolitical complexities and historical tensions in the region, the involvement of Serbia, aligned with the Kremlin, adds an additional layer of concern. The situation is exacerbated by what some perceive as appeasement of these actions by EU and US envoys, which could undermine Kosovo's sovereignty, stability, and the pursuit of accurate and unbiased information.