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| At the entrance of the SPAK offices |
The Special Prosecution against Organized Crime and Corruption (known locally as SPAK) in Albania, announced today that, at its request, the Court has decided to seize the assets of two former Constitutional Court judges, Bashkim Dedja, former President and Fatos Lulo, as well as the former judge of the High Court Shkëlzen Selimi. SPAK, as announced in today's announcement, had launched an investigation in July last year for the criminal offense of "Refusal to declare, non-declaration, concealment or false declaration of assets, private interests of elected persons and public servants or any other person who has a legal obligation to declare”.
The three former judges had resigned as a result of the revaluation process, and the main reason had been the inability to justify their assets in possession. This is the first time Justice has begun to act against former magistrates who were left out of Vetting.
Former President of the Constitutional Court Dedja, was seized an apartment "with an area of 60 m2, located in the area Kryemedhenj, Administrative Unit Golem Kavaja". The other member of this Court, Lulo, was seized from a shop "with an area of 172 m2, located on Durrës Street, Tirana".
Many assets are blocked from former judge Selimi. It is about “50 percent of the property of land type 432 m2 and object 132.25 m2 Fuel / Shopping Point, located in Lungomare Promenade, Vlora; land, with an area of 2400 m2 (property consisting of a combination of assets), located in Lungomare, Vlora, owned by the citizen Kujtim Selimi and 55 percent of a land with an area of 764 m2 and the building with an area of 57 m2, Gas Station, located on Trans-Balkan Street, Vlora, owned by the citizen Kujtim Selimi”.
According to SPAK, "based on the criminal investigation conducted, came out that these entities owned properties, that they cannot justify, or assets that they hid".
Special court accepted SPAK request to sequester assets of two former Constitutional Ct & one former High Ct judges who failed vetting for hiding assets. Justice Reform will not be quick, easy, or perfect - but it is moving forward, step by step. https://t.co/eOYR0azqCe
— Ambassador Yuri Kim (@USAmbAlbania) April 28, 2021
Following the announcement of the decision to seize the assets of the three former judges, US Ambassador Yuri Kim wrote on Twitter that "the justice reform will not be quick, easy or perfect, but it is moving forward, step by step."
Good news today that the Special Court has accepted SPO request to seize assets of 3 former judges of Constitutional & High Cts. dismissed by the vetting. Another step that shows SPAK is pursuing its tasks to fight corruption. #Justicereform 🇦🇱continues.
— Luigi Soreca🇪🇺 (@LSorecaEU) April 28, 2021
https://t.co/MtVykl8COU