Tirana authorities have arrested four individuals, including a police officer, on charges of corruption and abuse of office. The operation was led by the Economic and Financial Crime Investigation Unit, in collaboration with the Special Operations and Search Force and the Tirana Regional Directorate of the Police Oversight Agency.
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| An Albanian police van and a policeman nearby, and a few meters away a police car |
The arrests were carried out following rulings by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime, which sentenced the individuals for their involvement in illegal activities, Euronews Albania reports.
The Accused
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Enis Balla (40 years old):
- Resident of Tirana.
- Sentenced to 8 months in prison for "Exercising unlawful influence on public officials" and "Active corruption of public officials," committed in collaboration.
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Kujtim Xhaja (50 years old):
- Resident of Tirana and a police officer.
- Sentenced to 1 year and 4 months in prison for "Exercising unlawful influence on public officials."
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Alkid Ndreu (49 years old):
- Resident of Tirana.
- Sentenced to 9 months and 25 days in prison for "Passive corruption of public officials" and "Abuse of office."
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Revi Osmani (28 years old):
- Sentenced to 8 months in prison for "Exercising unlawful influence on public officials" and "Active corruption of public officials," committed in collaboration.
A Broader Crackdown
These arrests highlight ongoing efforts by Albanian authorities to combat corruption and misconduct within public institutions. The involvement of a police officer underscores the challenges faced by anti-corruption bodies in addressing such cases.
The operation signifies a commitment to holding individuals accountable, regardless of their positions, and is part of broader efforts to strengthen integrity in public administration.