Prince Leka and his partner Blerta Celibashi were recently invited to "Mirembrëma Yje" with Arbana Osmani. Of course, discussion could not be avoided about the sensational video of violence that spread in March 2024, about which Leka began to tell:
"We have gone through, especially in the last 20 months, very different challenges. I have had good faith in the institutions of the Albanian state and I have never had the desire for that video to be released to the public. That is why I was wrong, that video should never have been released."
He further indicated that the narratives about his relationship with Blerta that alluded to betrayal were untrue:
"We have had media and legal attacks from all sides. The narratives have been imposed, not realistic. There has never been an issue of betrayal. The first person I informed about my relationship was Elia."
Prince Leka revealed that the breakup with Elia Zaharia had happened gradually, long before the video was released:
"My separation came in different phases, first of all it was the emotional separation, which was very difficult for me. Then there was the distancing phase, we lived in the same house, but completely distanced, an emotional but also physical separation."
He then expressed:
"The March situation has really changed us, perhaps damaged our image, but it has not changed the figure of the royal family. Those friends who have information, they have understood that it was not simply a conflict for a family, but there was an external hand from pressures, such as is the nature of life in Albania."
Asked by Arbana about his irritation in the video, he said:
"There was no irritation, I went to meet my daughter, then the situation got out of control. There is only one victim in this, and the victim is Geraldina [the girl]."
He then continued to say that he never raped Elian. And the reason why he filmed the video:
"I felt in the situation that it would be better to have a video. I turned on the camera because that was the advice of my advisors. It was the only way to ensure the reality of the event. Then, the fact that it has come out in public, I feel very bad. I feel betrayed by those people who did this. I know I had no friends at that moment."
Prince Leka revealed that he no longer has any contact with Elia Zaharia, but is wishing him a good life as long as he is raising and taking care of their daughter.
