Exclusive / Military Emanuel Bazanji: Russia demands my elimination

In an interview with Russia Today television, Lavrov stated that “We have information that suggests that mercenaries from Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia are being recruited to be sent to the Donbass area.”

The reason for Lavrov’s statement is the interview on Top Channel two weeks ago by the former Albanian soldier Emanuel Bazanji who has been living in Ukraine for two years.

He has left the Albanian army and his decision to join the Ukrainian army is entirely private and individual. Immediately after this interview on Top Channel, the Elbasan prosecutor’s office has initiated a criminal proceeding against Emanuel Bazanji, based on the 2014 law for participants in hostilities in a foreign country.

According to the Criminal Code of Albania, Emaniuel Bazanji risks 10 to 15 years in prison if found guilty of this criminal offense. This development, which apparently has not yet arrived in Moscow, refutes Sergey Lavrov’s claim that mercenaries are being recruited from Albania to take them to Ukraine.

Top Channel journalist Muhamed Veliu asked Emanuel Bazanji about this statement by Minister Lavrov. He made this comment:

“I am not at all impressed by this statement. It has been a month since Russian televisions published my photo using various epithets. I am not a mercenary as Russia claims. “I came to Ukraine two years ago and was admitted to the Ukrainian army through the whole procedure, since then and not the last few days.” tha Bazanji.

As for the investigation initiated by the Elbasan prosecutor, Emanuel gave this comment to Top Channel.

“You must understand that I am subject to elimination from Russia. I have discussed this issue with my commanders here. I wish that with its actions against me, the Albanian justice does not look pro-Russian tomorrow. I support the Ukrainian army not as an illegal person but through all the necessary documentation. I left this issue to be resolved by the local government with the Albanian one” declared Emanuel Bazanji.

Like many soldiers from 27 countries around the world, the Albanian Emanuel Bazanji is part of the Georgian Legion where all the foreigners who have joined the Ukrainian army are staying.