Berlin, March 5, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Kosovo authorities to ensure that all perpetrators involved in the threats and the recent physical attack on Burim Pacolli, a journalist with the news site Nacionale, are brought to justice, and to take immediate measures to safeguard him and his family amid ongoing threats.
“The violent street ambush on journalist Burim Pacolli in retaliation for his music review sends a chilling message to cultural journalists in Kosovo,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “We welcome Kosovo authorities’ prompt arrests and the opening of an investigation. They must now ensure full accountability for everyone involved. They should now make clear that such violence is not tolerated, and guarantee Pacolli and his family’s protection so he can continue his work without fear.”
On March 2, an individual identified in local press as Kosovo rap singer Gramos Krasniqi, known by the stage name “Mossi,” approached Pacolli on the street as he was leaving an ATM in Pristina, the capital. Krasniqi confronted him over what he claimed was Pacolli’s negative video review of his music. Pacolli told CPJ that after verbal insults, Krasniqi punched him in the face and, when he attempted to flee, the rapper and three or four other individuals chased him, cornered him, dragged him to the ground, and repeatedly kicked him before leaving the scene as bystanders alerted the police.
After the attack, on March 4, Krasniqi further threatened the journalist on social media, saying he wants “flesh and blood.” Pacolli told CPJ that he keeps receiving online threats and he fears for his and his family’s safety.
In an email statement to CPJ, the Pristina prosecutor’s office said it had launched an investigation, detained three individuals in connection with the attack, and requested that a court impose pre-trial detention on them. Local media reported that Krasniqi is among the detainees.
Attempts to reach Krasniqi for comment through social media were unsuccessful.