Arben Ahmetaj, a former deputy prime minister of Albania, is currently a fugitive wanted by the Albanian Prosecution for alleged involvement in corruption. Despite being on the run, Ahmetaj has taken a bold step by signing a contract worth $150,000 with the US lobbying company Prism Group. The aim of this contract is to persuade the US administration that he is not guilty of corruption and money laundering.
 |
| Arben Ahmetaj leaving the Special Prosecutor's Office, May, 2022 |
The documents submitted to US authorities by the Prism Group, contracted by Ahmetaj, reveal the former deputy prime minister's residence in Lugano, Switzerland. Through this lobbying contract, the Prism Group undertakes various tasks, including advising Ahmetaj on his legal and political rights, highlighting government and political actors' violations of human rights in Albania, and lobbying the federal government, departments, agencies, and Congress on issues related to US-Albania relations.
The $150,000 payment will be made in installments, and according to the documentation provided by the lobbying company, it will be financed by individuals named as follows:
• Erjola Flamur Hoxha, Albanian citizen, residing at Viale Stefano Franscini 11, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.
• Flamur Adem Hoxha, Albanian citizen, residing at Rruga Tefta Tashko Nd 41, h2, ap 34, Tirana, Albania.
• Eljona Aleksander Hoxha, Albanian citizen, residing at Rruga Tefta Tashko Nd 41, h2, ap 36, Tirana, Albania.
This move by Arben Ahmetaj to seek lobbying support in the US amid corruption allegations underscores the complexities of international legal and political maneuvering. While he remains a fugitive from justice in Albania, his efforts to sway the US administration through lobbying highlight the lengths to which individuals may go to protect their interests and reputation on the global stage.