Bild recordings (June 2019): Rama on vote-buying in the Dibra 2016 early local elections
Status: Old (2019). Lawsuit announcement only; filing not confirmed.
Summary
On 17 June 2019 Bild, through journalist Peter Tiede, published recordings in which Rama discusses vote-buying and pressure on voters during the early local elections in Dibra County in 2016. Rama confirmed on Twitter that one of the conversations was with Arben Keshi, then Director of the Centre for Illegal Foreigners at the Ministry of Interior, and said he would do the same again. He called the story a lie and a scandal, said Keshi had not worked for the police at the time, and blamed figures linked to Sali Berisha and the prosecution. He announced a lawsuit against the journalist in German courts; the legal basis was unclear as reported. No authority confirmed the recordings. Whether the lawsuit was filed was not found.
Key facts
- Bild published recordings on 17 June 2019 (Exit.al).
- Rama confirmed his own voice on one recording with Arben Keshi and said he would have the same conversation again (Exit.al).
- Rama said he would sue in German courts and reportedly hired a Hamburg media lawyer (Exit.al, 2019).
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- One conversation with Arben Keshi is acknowledged by Rama (his own confirmation).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationVote-buying and pressure on voters in Dibra 2016 (Bild, as reported).
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationBild alleged that the recordings show socialist abuse in the elections, pressure on voters and vote-buying (as reported by Exit).
Open questions (2)
- Was the lawsuit filed, and what is its outcome?
- Were the other recordings authenticated?
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Rama: the story is a lie and a scandal; Keshi did not work for the police at the time; he blamed the prosecution and figures linked to Berisha (Exit.al, 2019).
Timeline
Full timeline →Media
Bild publishes recordings of Rama on vote-buying in Dibra 2016; Rama announces lawsuit
See case n26-rama-bild-wiretap-vote-buying-2019. Rama confirmed his voice on one recording.
Court
Electiongate (Dibra 2016) dossier moved from Serious Crimes prosecutors to the Dibra prosecution office
Exit.al reports that in August 2019 the Electiongate dossier (linked to the Bild recordings of Rama on vote-buying) was moved from the Serious Crimes prosecutors to the regional Dibra prosecution office, which the outlet calls a violation of the law. Not confirmed in an opened source; the outlet's characterisation is its own.
Court
Electiongate vote-buying cases reported time-barred; prosecution seeks dismissal for several defendants
Exit.al reports (summary, not reviewed in full) that about six years after the Bild recordings, the prosecution stopped investigating most of those accused of vote-buying and related election crimes, arguing the offences are time-barred. It says the prosecution asked for dismissal against Dionis Imeraj, Imer Lala, Arben Keshi, Bekim Krashi and Afim Mikli on that basis. Exit.al also reports that in January 2020 SPAK upheld the Dibra decision and declined to consider the case. The year is inferred from 'six years later' and is not exact. Not confirmed in the original source.
Hypotheses
Possible explanations that connect this record with other findings. They are not findings; each lists the evidence for and against.
- Source label: Unverified
Ahmetaj's unpublished recordings may be a pressure tactic from a fugitive facing charges, not evidence
Ahmetaj is charged, internationally wanted and fighting extradition. His September 2026 claims come with audio he has not played, and the pseudonym identification is his own. The timing near the Albanian Files complaints and the protests fits a pressure campaign. But a fugitive's self-interest does not rule out real recordings: the Bild 2019 case shows Rama acknowledging a real recorded conversation in another matter, so recordings of this kind can exist.
Evidence for
- Ahmetaj has been a fugitive since July 2023 with charges (case-arben-ahmetaj-status-2026).
- Audio offered but not played; no authentication (Balkanweb, 8 Sept 2026).
- Ahmetaj previously said Rama's office hosted criminal figures (Telegrafi, undated).
Evidence against
- No recording has been published or verified.
- Ahmetaj's identification of the pseudonym is his own.
- The Bild 2019 recordings show that Rama has acknowledged real recorded conversations, so recordings of this kind can exist.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 3 sources.
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 1 source
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- Aug 2019
Source label: DisputedDisputed · 1 source
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- 17 Jun 2019
Source label: UnverifiedUnverified · 1 source
- Publisher
- Exit.al
- Date
- 2025