The Special Prosecution Against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK) has announced the successful conclusion of a massive operation carried out in collaboration with Europol, Eurojust, and law enforcement agencies from Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.
According to SPAK, the operation was launched as part of an investigation into a series of murders, leading to the issuance of 15 arrest warrants. Among the individuals targeted were high-ranking police officials, a prominent businessman, and a prosecutorial director. The investigations spanned from 2019 to 2022 and involved searches conducted at 26 different locations.
“On January 16, 2023, SPAK registered criminal proceeding No.9 of 2023, focusing on criminal offenses including ‘Premeditated Murder’, ‘Passive Corruption of Judges, Prosecutors, and Other Judicial Officials’, ‘Active Corruption of Judges, Prosecutors, and Other Judicial Officials’, ‘Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty’, ‘Abuse of Duty’, ‘False Expertise’, ‘Forgery of Documents’, ‘Drug Trafficking’, and ‘Possession and Production of Firearms, Explosives, and Ammunition’. These crimes were carried out in collaboration within a ‘Structured Criminal Group’ and ‘Criminal Organization’. The investigation also covered ‘Money Laundering of the Proceeds of Criminal Offenses or Criminal Activities’,” reported SPAK.
The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime worked closely with Europol, Eurojust, and law enforcement agencies from Belgium, the Netherlands, and France to conduct intensive investigations into several Albanian nationals involved in criminal activities not only in Albania but also across various European countries. The operation also looked into past criminal events that occurred in Albania between 2019 and 2022.
Furthermore, SPAK’s investigations revealed that individuals with criminal records, previously convicted of serious offenses, were involved in additional criminal activities, which are now under further investigation. The authorities also documented cases involving public officials, high-level state police officers, and prosecutors who undermined the proper functioning of the rule of law and law enforcement.
The First Instance Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, acting on SPAK’s request, issued decision No.94 on July 23, 2023, approving the security measures of “arrest in prison” for 15 individuals suspected of perpetrating the criminal offenses.
Additionally, decision No.314, dated July 24, 2023, granted authorization for the control of 14 different premises. On July 27, 2023, under the direction of SPAK, the General Directorate of State Police and the National Bureau of Investigation executed the orders for the implementation of penal decision No.94, leading to the arrest of 6 individuals. Furthermore, 2 other suspects were arrested in flagrante delicto for offenses under article 278 of the Penal Code.
During the execution of the court decisions, 26 residences and premises were subject to thorough searches, resulting in the seizure of various sums of money, different vehicles, phones, various firearms, masks, electronic devices, and electronic monitoring devices (servers and cameras) used to monitor external areas in different parts of Shkodër city, all of which were crucial as material evidence in the case.
SPAK expressed gratitude to the State Police for their professionalism and close collaboration during the execution phase of the court decisions. The prosecution also extended its appreciation to Europol, Eurojust, French Judicial Authorities, and Belgian, Dutch, and French law enforcement agencies for their intensive cooperation and valuable contributions to the investigation.
SUGGESTED READING:
