On the Ground with Chris

Journalist | Independent Media

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

Albania PM also did deals with Elbit. Drop site should look into Albanian Gov company “KAYO” and Ron Yeffet who is an Israeli citizen who lives in the US yet was given Albanian Citizenship. He has some active lawsuits in Florida and under investigation in Albania by SPAK the anti-corruption Agency.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@mretMFs @Tirana_Report Not really. He is just doing his “rounds” as a diplomat. Listen Rama is weakening himself now. USA and EU will just watch for now until they see an opportunity to force his hand. When your enemy is hurting themselves you don’t intervene you just let them continue.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

Honestly that’s diplomatic speak. He is “working” the room he is in. This changes by audience by audience. I wouldn’t put too much thought into. All ambassadors do this and so do politicians. They’re in the business of getting people to like them. Actions speak louder than words.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

You can't just fix what's broken at the core with some reform here and there. You need to start over without those who broke and rigged the system in the first place. It's a systemic problem. The entire system was hijacked by the very party who brought you into politics. The 2014-16 reform process funded by OSF is why this country is where it is today. SPAK is a Dog with no Teeth. What good is reform if there is no legal accountability in the end? If you’re up for an interview just reply.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

Whatever happened with your letter along with @RepKeithSelf to @SecRubio with the 5th of Nov deadline to address the isssues here on the ground in Albania? I've requested a meeting with Eric Wendy the New Amb here in Tirana weeks ago. It was elevated but nothing after that. The Albanians are asking what's up with The USA why are they so silent.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

You need to make sure all of us in the Press/Media, Video/Photo journalist corporate, freelance or independent here in Albania covering this protest are not targeted, denied access or kept away from filming any clashes, interactions between the police and protesters.

The 4th and 5th estate is here to hold those in power accountable be it governments, corporations, NGO’s like OSF heavy involvement here, “Independent investigation” bodies like SPAK, AMP and so on. Some of us are here for the Truth.

Not all Police are Bad but Bad leadership makes for bad policing. First off State police need to stop concealing their faces and Id numbers. It’s against Albanian Law and is a tactic used by them to undermine any true investigation into their actions. Very few police employees here qualify for guaranteed identity protection. Ministry of Interior needs to answer for this and Directer of State police needs to be held accountable for it as those police work for him.

If you clearly go out of your way to conceal your identity that means your intentions are in bad faith and your actions taken are most likely illegal. Same could be said for the protesters…. Oh wait it was that’s why there is a ban on face coverings by emergency decree. I also know some individuals trying to unmask the masked police in videos committing human rights violations have been harassed, threatened, and questioned.

Please do your best to protect the media here. It’s our right as this is a democracy, currently an EU Candidate Country. For any one of the media to be targeted, to be harassed, threatened violates international laws. Let the world see the truth no matter where it takes us.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

I’ve been in this country almost 6 years. Almost all of the young Albanians I met back in 2021 ages (19-25) are all gone. Even the ones who told me they don’t want to leave. This is not a shock let’s also talk about some of these kids leave with little options other than to work as foot soldiers in criminal drug gangs in Europe or girls as sex workers or upgraded to sitting in a grow houses in Europe.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@EUAmbAL @EU_Commission @eu_enlargement_ @eu_eeas @EUinAlbania Nobody has a Kind word for this guy here in Albania. That’s rather telling.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@BelindKellici They say when politicians are talking to TV reporters it means the policies aren’t working. Nothing gets done. If it worked like it’s supposed to things would just get done in the best interest for the people of the land.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

Trust me many Americans who watch FOX News believe the protesters here are Antifa and hate America and worse they hate Trump. We have Expats here in Albania who love Trump and they believe these protest are against Trump. The question every American should be asking is why is Artur Shehu a wanted international criminal wanted by SPAK who has an arrest warrant out for him here in Albania is living freely in the USA and 2nd why would the sitting Albanian prime minister Defend Artur Shehu claims of ownership? PM Rama should have said… Mr Shehu should return to Albania to face the courts and then we can discuss his claims of ownership. His Arrest is more important to Albania than the land claim as one of the charges is forging property deeds. Albania doesn’t have a serious Justice system.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

It’s all Theater to distract. The real questions is why is SPAK’s conviction rates so low? Even the amount of open investigations that actually go to court in 2023 was 5%? How can SPAK be taken seriously? It’s not even possible to have that low of a conversion rate from investigation to charges. You would have to be terrible at your job to get 5% or there is something else there like fear or corruption.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

As an American married to an Albanian with a 14 year old son. I look at this country and realize everyone lives in fear. Paralyzed by a narco state. People here fear those in Ski Mask and balaclavas. Sadly it will never change unless people realize the survival of the Albanian culture is more important than money and their own greed.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

as of 2026 Albania spends roughly the same amount on the military as it does education. Yet take $302 million loan from the US? The 3 Rules of controlling a population are on full display in this current Albania. 1. Lack of quality Education 2. Poverty 3. State dependency. Add in a Declining Democracy.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

For Comment - who are the business leaders that were invited, who attended? If you can link me to any official list on the EU commission website that would be fine. What constitutes a “representative of the business community”? Was there any vetting process to screen out anyone with links to criminal organizations, government officials or have any open file at SPAK?

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@JuxhinCelaEU 3 things are need for power and control.
1. Keep the country uneducated
2. Keep them poor
3. Have them dependent on the state (have a good percentage working for the government)

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

#Protest #Tirana #Albania @Marjanakoceku would love to interview you if you have the time

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@MarioNawfal

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@MarioNawfal Mario why not come Nov 28th-29th and witness for yourself. This is Albanians for Albania it not like what’s happening elsewhere.

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@Trelarat So true lol @USEmbassyTirana

[On the Ground with Chris @OTGwithChris]

@USEmbassyTirana Would have been smart to invite someone like me to the event. After all still waiting for that coffee Mr Ambassador.