Greece has declared prominent Albanian investigative journalist Artan Hoxha “persona non grata,” imposing an indefinite ban on his entry into the country.
The decision was communicated at the Kakavia border crossing on November 23, 2025, as Hoxha was attempting to travel to Ioannina. Greek border police officially cited him as a “threat to public order and internal security.”
Albanian observers and Hoxha himself see the ban as a direct consequence of his long-standing, sensitive reporting on Albanian-Greek bilateral issues, particularly his recent investigations into ethnic Greek Albanian politician Fredi Beleri.
The decision formally invokes Article 82 of the Schengen Border Code, citing grounds of public security, health, and foreign relations. Hoxha was held for approximately an hour, fingerprinted and photographed, had his passport stamped with a cancellation mark, and was immediately ordered to leave.
The Albanian journalist was investigating Greek Albanian politician Fredi Beleri
The journalist claims the non-grata decision was actually issued in early 2024—at the height of the EU election campaign. His reporting at the time focused on Beleri, who was running as an MEP candidate for Greece’s ruling New Democracy party while detained in Albania on charges of vote-buying.
Hoxha’s investigations delved into Beleri’s controversial past, including his alleged links to nationalist organizations. Hoxha published investigative articles in both Albanian and Greek media outlets, challenging Beleri’s public image and political support.
Socialist MP Ardit Bido publicly condemned the decision as “unacceptable” for an EU member state, stressing that the action is “incompatible with European democratic values.” Bido argued that targeting journalists for confronting nationalism is one of the gravest abuses of democratic principles.
The Union of Albanian Journalists (UGSH) called the measure “absurd” and part of a repeated practice against Albanian media members, raising suspicions that political and nationalist extremists in Greece may influence the list of banned journalists.