Albanian businessman Ilir Rrapaj, recently arrested by order of the Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) due to his alleged involvement in the Sterilization Concession scandal, arrived at the Albanian Parliament under heavy police escort. Rrapaj is set to testify before the Parliamentary Health Inquiry Committee as part of ongoing investigations into corruption and irregularities in the public health sector.
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| Ilir Rrapaj, handcuffed, being escorted by prison police from a Police van |
Photos from the scene show Rrapaj, handcuffed, being escorted by prison police from a van to the hearing room, where he will provide testimony. Rrapaj, along with his Italian business partner Umbro Staccini, were key figures behind SaniService, the company that secured a controversial €100 million sterilization concession in 2015.
The lucrative 10-year, €100 million contract was awarded to SaniService, a consortium led by Rrapaj’s company Investital LLC, with Italian companies Servizi Italia, Tecnosanimed, and U.Jet S.r.l., owned by Staccini, as partners. The scandal involves accusations of corruption, misuse of public funds, and improper tendering processes.
Rrapaj was arrested on August 16, alongside former Deputy Minister of Health Klodian Rjepaj, who was questioned by the inquiry committee in September. Later today, at 6:00 PM, Rrapaj’s business partner, Umbro Staccini, is also scheduled to testify before the committee, according to local media.
The Parliamentary Inquiry Committee’s investigation aims to uncover the full scope of misconduct surrounding the Sterilization Concession, a project originally intended to improve medical sterilization services across Albania. Former Minister of Health Ilir Beqaj, who is also in custody, is expected to be questioned in relation to the concession in the coming weeks. The inquiry into the Sterilization Concession scandal marks a significant step by Albanian authorities in tackling corruption at the highest levels of government and business.