The Armed Forces Academy (AFA) issued a statement this Friday in response to recent media reports alleging suspicious payments to the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bajram Begaj.

In its official statement, the institution categorically denied all accusations, clarifying that the issue concerns outstanding financial obligations to academic staff involved in scientific research during the period 2013–2018.

According to the AFA, President Begaj, in his capacity as a military doctor, was part of scientific research teams during that period, supervising PhD research topics in cooperation with a group of 15 professors. The institution emphasized that all payments were made in accordance with the legal framework governing higher education and scientific research, and were equally distributed among all participating personnel.

“The payments were executed during the years 2022 and 2024, and the financial and administrative documentation is complete and verifiable by any competent institution,” the statement reads.

The Armed Forces Academy stressed that the process was fully transparent and invited relevant authorities to carry out any necessary verifications.