Vladimir Topi and Silvi Shehi, representatives of the company DRICONS appeared before the Special Court this Tuesday under accusations of bribing an official for the purpose of obtaining a tender.

Administrator Vladimir Topi was acquainted with the measure of “house arrest” by the court due to his old age (75 years old), while for engineer Sali Shehi, the court ordered a measure of “pretrial detention”.

The company was declared the winner of the Ministry of Health tender, after Vladimir Topi gave 330,000 Albanian lek to Joana Duro in order for the company to be announced as the winning bidder for the tender.

The Special Prosecution stated that after investigations, it was found that Vladimir Topi gave Duro the amount of money to favor his company. As for the engineer of the company, Silvi Shehi, he received the sum and sent it to Laura Sheto, a specialist at the Senior Level in the Integrated Public Service Agency.

Duro and Sheto were placed in detention on Monday, according to the court’s decision.

Joana Duro, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health was arrested a few days ago by order of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, along with the employee of the Ministry of Health Laureta Sheto.

The arrests were part of an ongoing operation, while the two accused individual had been under surveillance by the Special Prosecution Office for a considerable period of time.

Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that this was a serious case and that there is no compromise with anyone who violates the law.

“The lack of sensitivity to patriotism, duty, and ethics in a position of such importance to stoop to this level is truly horrifying,” emphasized Rama.

He added that judicial reform put an end to impunity.

“We have chosen this alternative path, and on this path, there is no turning back and no compromise with anyone,” he added.