On the eve of the 1st anniversary of the devastating earthquake of November 26 in Albania, the government has submitted to the Assembly a draft law which provides for the toughening of the Criminal Code to punish up to 15 years in prison all those persons who illegally interfere in the construction of buildings.
The draft provides for fines of up to 5 years in prison for interfering in existing apartments, which risk its partial or complete demolition.
When there are serious material consequences, the sentence ranges from 5 to 10 years in prison. The greatest aggravation in the Criminal Code for this violation is foreseen when there are consequences in human life as happened last November in Thumanë and Durrës, an act which is punishable by 7 to 15 years in prison. For new construction, the criminal penalty will be for the entire construction chain.