In front of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SACS) prosecutor Enkeleda Millonai and officers from the National Bureau of Investigation, Arben Ahmetaj provided explanations regarding a series of questions related to the ongoing investigation against him, involving corruption, money laundering, abuse of office, and undeclared hidden assets.

Ahmetaj stated that as the former Minister of Economy, he had no decision-making role regarding the incinerators, while denying any connection to Klodian Zoto, whom he claimed to only know as a businessman.

Regarding the seized villa in Hamallaj, he declared it as the property of his partner’s (Erjola Hoxha) family, with whom he has been living since 2022 and has a child, refuting the claim that the property was gifted to him by businessman Zoto.

The former deputy prime minister also denied suspicions that Klodian Zoto paid for expensive hotels outside Albania.

Regarding another seized villa in Palasë, Ahmetaj affirmed that he has no connection to the property as it does not belong to his ex-spouse but rather to a Swiss citizen.

It is learned that no charges have been communicated to Ahmetaj thus far, and according to his lawyers, no criminal evidence has been presented against him, suggesting that he is under investigation to find evidence.

What happened with Ahmetaj on Thursday?

Former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj spent 5 hours and 40 minutes Thursday at the Special Prosecutor’s Office.

He was accompanied by Henrik Ligori, one of his defense lawyers, as he provided explanations regarding the investigations being conducted by the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SACS) against him.

The Special Prosecution has expanded investigations against Ahmetaj in four directions: money laundering, passive corruption, false declaration of wealth, and abuse of duty.

The Socialist deputy is also being investigated for the Elbasan incinerator case, but the proceedings against him are separate from those of other suspects as SACS has also included asset-related proceedings.

After leaving the Prosecutor’s Office, Ahmetaj declined to comment on his approximately 6-hour stay at the prosecution’s offices, only stating that he had clarified his position.

Since March, two villas in coastal areas belonging to individuals connected to Ahmetaj, specifically his current partner and ex-wife, have been seized by SACS.

During this period, the Special Prosecutor’s Office has handled responses to several letters and postal items sent as part of the investigation against the former deputy prime minister.

Additionally, several businessmen who have financial ties and business agreements with Arben Ahmetaj have been questioned.

What are the files incriminating Ahmetaj?

The investigative file of SACS also includes payments made by incinerator businessman Klodian Zoto for accommodations for Ahmetaj and his close relatives in several luxury hotels abroad.

One of the most prominent figures in the Socialist Party, Ahmetaj must now prove his innocence regarding all the accusations weighing upon him for decisions and actions taken during his tenure leading important government departments.

Ahmetaj is accused of privatizing, contrary to asset laws, a property on “5 Maji” Street belonging to the “Buka” company, on which a building stands today.

In 2014, as the former Minister of Economy, Ahmetaj signed a decision that annulled court rulings, wrongfully depriving legitimate owners with the surname Myderizi of approximately 6,370 square meters of land.

The plaintiffs have informed the Special Prosecution Office that Ahmetaj conducted an auction for the sale of shares to businessman Lirim Fezollari.

As part of this investigation, the Special Prosecution Office has obtained information that after the privatization procedure, Arben Ahmetaj and Lirim Fezollari traveled on the same plane to a European Union country.

Regarding another similar matter, Ahmetaj has been accused by the opposition of providing land in the “Unaza” area to Edmond Bego to build a palace complex worth 60 million euros.

The opposition claims that the former Minister of Finance privatized the “Unaza” lakeside greenhouses on behalf of an individual convicted by Italian authorities for drug trafficking.