During an activity organized by the Albanian Helsinki Committee on the fight against corruption, the head of SPAK (Special Prosecutors’ Office), Altin Dumani, called for a greater engagement of civil society in anti-corruption efforts. According to him, SPAK is open to cooperation on certain topics related to corruption, in order to improve the performance of the institution.

“Civil society is invited to cooperate with SPAK on certain topics. These analyzes serve our institution to improve performance. We are open to such collaborations,” said Dumani, emphasizing the importance of wider support from various actors.

At the end of December, Dumani will also assume the powers of the Public Commissioner in the KPA (Special Appellate Panel), expanding SPAK’s responsibilities in monitoring and investigating justice officials. He announced that SPAK has applied the anti-mafia law to several subjects dismissed from office, including judges and prosecutors.

“We used the materials from the administrative vetting process as evidence to find evidence in the criminal investigation. The results of the administrative investigation are a good basis for finding evidence against the subjects dismissed from the vetting,” said the head of SPAK.

Dumani emphasized that SPAK has been active with investigations initiated by the institution itself, especially in cases of corruption. “We have not been blind to the decisions of the vetting bodies. We have registered investigations mainly for criminal offenses of corruption and we are careful in filtering vetting decisions,” he said.

Duman made it clear that SPAK’s attention is mainly focused on the confirmed officials in office. “The biggest concern is not those dismissed, but those who have been confirmed in office. This is our focus, because they are still in the system and can commit corrupt acts,” he emphasized.

In conclusion, Dumani called on the citizens to denounce any corrupt act, stressing the importance of the commitment of the responsible institutions in the fight against corruption. “Each institution must fulfill its obligations. Citizens must denounce any corrupt act in SPAK, and the relevant institutions must be at the appropriate height to supply us with information and reports,” he concluded.