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| Headquarters of SPAK and Ahmetaj (montage) |
The Special Prosecution Against Organized Crime and Corruption (known locally with the acronym "SPAK") has decided to place two villas on the coast under preventive seizure, following suspicions that they are linked to former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. For one villa, located in the Palasa area, the prosecution suspects it belongs to Mr. Ahmetaj's ex-wife, while the other in the Hamallaj area is owned by his partner. The former Deputy Prime Minister is under investigation for at least 4 criminal offenses, media reports.
The investigations by the Special Prosecution against Mr. Arben Ahmetaj, the longest-serving politician in Prime Minister Edi Rama's cabinets since 2013, have intensified in recent weeks. About 15 days ago, investigators from the National Investigation Bureau (BKH) conducted searches at the former spouse's residences of Mr. Ahmetaj, as well as at a villa owned by his partner. The former Deputy Prime Minister has appealed to the Special Appeals Court, claiming that the decision to search the Hamallaj residence was taken in violation of the law and procedures.
It is precisely this villa that has now been placed under preventive seizure. Some published documents have raised suspicions that the villa was ordered by Klodian Zoto, who was looking into the incinerator issue. But Mr. Ahmetaj stated that his partner bought it from another person and payment was made by bank transfer.
Zoto's name appeared in a call made by journalist Adriatik Doçi, according to whom the businessman had paid for Mr. Ahmetaj's stays in expensive hotels in various European cities. The former Deputy Prime Minister has dismissed these accusations as false and baseless. He denied having any connection to Zoto, but acknowledged knowing Mirel Mërtiri, who is considered by the Special Prosecution as the mastermind behind the incinerator case.
In addition to the villa in Hamallaj, another villa on the coast in the Palasa area has been placed under seizure. Although it appears to be owned by the former spouse of Mr. Ahmetaj, the prosecution suspects that she is not the real owner.