The Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) presented its claim regarding the Fier incinerator case.
Former Minister of Environment Lefter Koka was requested a ten-year prison sentence, but due to accepting an expedited trial, the prosecution ultimately seeks a sentence of six years and eight months in prison for him, as well as having no right to exercise public functions for five years.
Former Socialist Party deputy Alqi Bllako was requested a seven-year sentence. Due to accepting an expedited trial, the prosecution now seeks a sentence of four years and eight months, as well as having no right to exercise public functions for five years.
The prosecution requested a change in the charges against Bllako, who held the position of Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and later Director General of the National Agency of Natural Resources.
The prosecution reverted to the initial charge of “abuse of office” as a high-ranking state official rather than a public official, which carries heavier implications.
Speaking to the media after the session, Bllako’s lawyer, Sokol Hazizaj said the prosecution’s stance is illegal and unconstitutional.
“The charges raised by the investigative organ were unjust. This fact was identified by the court during the preliminary session. The court will, of course, hold a straightforward position as long as the prosecution maintains the same charge, and the charge of abuse of duty should be dropped. SPAK is adopting an illegal and unconstitutional stance. I have stated that SPAK does not act based on court decisions. If the court does not hold a fair position, the preliminary court is out of the game,” Hazizaj argued.
Both Koka and Bllako were not present at the session today but were represented by their defense lawyers. They were informed of the proposed sentence at the Durrës prison cells, with the Special Prosecution Office also seeking the confiscation of their seized assets. Following this session, defense lawyers will present their defense, and then the court will have its say.
As for Klodian Zoto, the main shareholder of the Fier concessionaire who is still at large, a twelve-year prison sentence was requested. Due to accepting an expedited trial, the prosecution ultimately seeks a sentence of eight years in prison for him.
For Arben Dervishi, who had the role of supervisor of works at the Fier incinerator, the accusation was changed from private sector corruption to public sector corruption.
Charges against Robert Shabani were dropped. As for Enver Sheshi, an administrator of one of the companies suspected of issuing invoices for unfinished work, the charges were dropped as he passed away a few months ago.
The investigations into the Fier incinerator concluded in December 2022. According to SPAK’s allegations, 4 million euros were paid for work that was never completed, while the fraudulent scheme caused a 60 million Albanian lek damage to the state budget.
On May 29th, 2023, the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime accepted the expedited trial for the vast majority of the 20 defendants in this case. The expedited trial avoids calling witnesses to the courtroom or presenting evidence by the parties, while offering the accused the opportunity to receive a one-third reduction in their sentence if convicted.
Only three of the defendants did not accept the expedited trial and requested a full continuation of the process, namely Etleva Kondi, member of the concession committee; Arenc Myrtezani, administrator of “Integrated Technology Waste Treatment Fier”, the concessionaire company; and Giuseppe Ciaffaglione, administrator of the concessionaire company “Integrated Energy BV SPV”, who is accused of corruption for paying the father of former SP deputy Alqi Bllako, who was fictitiously employed by the company.
All those involved in the Fier incinerator case face charges of corruption, abuse of office, and money laundering.
