The Special Prosecution Against Corruption (SPAK) has officially launched an investigation into Ilir Beqaj, the former Minister of Health in Albania, on charges of “abuse of duty”.
This move comes as part of an ongoing probe initiated by SPAK on January 13, 2020, related to a sterilization concession.
In response to SPAK’s request, the Anti-Corruption Court has imposed precautionary measures on Beqaj, including a “mandatory appearance” and a “prohibition of leaving the country”. Two individuals have already been arrested, and six others are currently under investigation in connection with the same case.
Ilir Beqaj is now obliged to present himself before the judicial police every Friday at 15:30 and is barred from leaving Albania.
Following the announcement, Ilir Beqaj took to Facebook to respond. He revealed that his legal counsel has advised him to appeal the decision, and he intends to follow this recommendation. While dismissing the accusation as baseless, Beqaj expressed his commitment to pursuing legal avenues to clear his name.
In addition to contesting the allegations, Beqaj has voluntarily resigned from his position as the head of the State Agency for Strategic Planning and Coordination of Aid. This decision is aimed at ensuring the integrity of the investigative process and avoiding any potential misinterpretation of his role as an official in the ongoing investigation.
“I am hopeful that a swift and thorough resolution of this matter will prevail, prioritizing justice and truth over any preconceived notions or political attacks,” Beqaj stated on Facebook.
The accusations against Ilir Beqaj include “abuse of duty”, “violation of equal participation in tenders”, and “passive corruption of high-ranking officials”. The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by the Hashtag Movement regarding the concession procedure for integrated services related to surgical instruments, sterile medical materials, and the treatment of biological waste in surgical rooms.
The 10-year concession contract, valued at nearly 100 million US dollars, was initially signed in December 2015 and remains in effect to date.
Former Deputy Minister of Health Klodian Rrjepaj and businessman Ilir Rrapaj, representing the winning company of the sterilization service tender, have already been arrested in connection with abuses linked to this contract. Furthermore, six other individuals are currently under investigation, subject to security measures like “house arrest” or “mandatory appearance”.
Ilir Beqaj, who defended the sterilization concession as essential, arguing that the central facility at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” (QSUT) did not adequately cover the needs of all hospitals nationwide, faces an extended inquiry.
As of August 2023, the Court, after implementing security measures on Rrjepaj and Rrapaj, recommended that SPAK broaden the investigation to include former Minister of Health Ilir Beqaj, former Minister of Finance Shkëlqim Cani, and four procurement commissioners.
The ongoing investigations have uncovered instances of unequal competition among bidders, artificially inflated costs, forged documents, and statistical figures. Additionally, it has been revealed that the new sterilization center at QSUT is being utilized by the concessionaire.
Ilir Beqaj, who served as Minister of Health in 2013, has faced allegations of corruption regarding three concession contracts for healthcare services, including sterilization, check-up services, and hemodialysis. These allegations have been raised by both the opposition and civil society representatives.
In October of the current year, Beqaj joined the negotiating team for Albania’s integration into the European Union.
