In a significant development, a joint team of investigators from the Financial Anti-Fraud Office of Austria, the Financial Crime Investigation Department of Malta, the Information and Fiscal Investigation Department of the Netherlands, and the Economic Crime Anti-Unit of the Cyprus Police arrived in Tirana on Tuesday. This collaborative group, representing four European states and structured as a European Union (EU) task force, is led by an expert from the Western Balkans Judicial Counterpart Office (WBCJ) at EUROJUST. Their mission in Albania is a tightly coordinated 10-day collaboration with the Albanian Serious Crimes Prosecution Office (SPAK) and the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH).
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| A complex of villas on the outskirts of Tirana known as "Rolling Hills", where many of these villas are thought to have been bought by corrupt Albanian officials |
The timing of this joint investigative team's arrival is noteworthy, occurring just a day after the EU Ambassador, Silvio Gonzato, delivered ultimatum-laden messages during a conference on the fight against corruption and money laundering held in Tirana on Monday.
The presence of investigators from Austria, the Netherlands, Malta, and Cyprus signifies the alignment of cooperation that SPAK initiated with the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom, solidified on February 22, 2024, through an agreement signed by Altin Dumani and Graeme Biggar.
The primary theme of this cooperation revolves around the exchange of information between the foreign investigators and their counterparts in SPAK and BKH. Their focus during their stay in Albania will be on uncovering the hiding of corruption funds in Austria, the Netherlands, Malta, and Cyprus, transferred to private companies, individuals, bank deposits, and the acquisition of immovable properties involved in illicit activities within these states, local media report.
Concrete evidence and specific names have been frequently discussed regarding the transfer of millions of euros, hidden and invested abroad by politicians and officials in Albania. Partner agencies have gathered information and evidence, which they bring to SPAK to initiate joint operations involving arrests and confiscations.
In addition to bank accounts, many Albanian politicians and officials possess millions of euros in business assets registered in their names, spouses', children's, and other family members' names, often associated with fictitious companies established in Albania.
The arrival and extended stay of investigators from these four states at the SPAK offices suggest that they have brought substantial information regarding the monetary values and hidden assets of Albanian officials in their respective countries. Moreover, their affiliation with and direction by the Western Balkans Judicial Counterpart Office (WBCJ), responsible for tracking state corruption in Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia, reinforces the belief that they have brought detailed and accurate information.
This conviction is further supported by the fact that the group of foreign investigators is accompanied and led by the Western Balkans Judicial Counterpart Office (WBCJ), which is involved in tracing state corruption in Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia, reporting its findings to the judicial structures of these nations.
The data and evidence presented by the investigative team include details on millions of euros and numerous illicit assets and businesses held in the Netherlands, Austria, Malta, and Cyprus. Key figures such as Klodian Zoto, Mirel Mërtiri, and Stela Gugallja, as well as high-ranking central politicians and officials, are implicated in these revelations. The collaborative effort aims to expose and combat the intricate web of corruption involving Albanian officials and their international financial connections.