Dumani lists the officials who have been investigated by SPAK, from the former prime minister, ministers, deputies and mayors and reveals the investigation of the Albanian entrepreneur who tried to create access to the international mafia in our country, how the crime is buying apartments and businesses in Tirana and coast, here is the role of banks in money laundering

The head of SPAK, Altin Dumani, reported yesterday to the Law Commission, on the activity of the Special Prosecutor's Office, for the year 2023. He listed all the high officials of the state, who, as he said, are under investigation or defendants. In his speech, Dumani said that "9 high-ranking officials have been sentenced: Two former MPs, two former judges, three former mayors, one former general secretary of the Ministry of Health, one former deputy mayor". A total of 20 criminal proceedings have been investigated with 22 persons under investigation or defendants against high-level officials in office: 5 magistrates, 3 former judges of the first instance, a former judge of appeal and a former prosecutor. 5 former mayors, one former candidate for mayor, two mayors, one former Minister of Finance, one former Minister of Defense, one former Minister of Environment, one former Minister of Health, one former Deputy Minister of Health, one former Prime Minister, one former secretary of the environment minister, a former secretary of the ministry of justice and a former general secretary of the ministry of health. For the first time, 8 criminal proceedings were registered with 18 persons under investigation or defendants against high-level officials. 11 cases have been sent to the court with a request for trial, 12 defendants in the capacity of former high officials with functions: 5 former mayors, one former judge, one former Minister of the Environment, one former Minister of Finance, two mayors, one former candidate for mayor and a former secretary of the Ministry of Health. 9 high-ranking officials were convicted: Two former MPs, two former judges, three former mayors, one former general secretary of the Ministry of Health, one former deputy mayor. 4 former magistrates are in the process of trial, one former magistrate is under investigation in the high court, two former magistrates have been convicted by the court", said Dumani.

Money laundering, the role of banks

The head of SPAK showed how an Albanian business tried to create access to the international mafia in our country, in order to integrate the income in the banking sector. "One of the complex money laundering schemes in Albania involves the use of Albanian banks and businesses as intermediaries for international criminal organizations such as the Italian mafia. In one case, an Albanian business cooperated to give access to representatives of the international mafia to integrate criminal income in the banking sector for the stratification of transfers that would then be transferred with the help of the local business abroad. The very good cooperation with the second level banks made this operation of the criminal groups fail. There is the presence of money laundering, which is also done with construction. Even terrorism is among the rarest criminal activities. As far as corruption is concerned, procedures are used that benefit from public funds, using offshore accounts. Even some banks are involved in the money laundering scheme. Some of the features, membership of 15-25 people, polycriminal activity, violence for control, inclusion of women in secondary positions, conversion of money into cryptocurrencies, paid murder. They operate through call centers, they deceive foreign citizens. Cooperation with money laundering businesses. In one case, an Albanian business cooperated to give access to a representative of the international mafia to integrate criminal income in the banking sector for the stratification of transfers that would then be transferred abroad, but the very good cooperation with second-level banks made this operation of criminal groups to fail", said Dumani.

Type of criminal markets according to SPAK

Dumani said that there are some cities and areas of the country which present significant problems for their activity, from murders to drug trafficking, corruption towards people of justice and money laundering. Regarding the type of criminal markets, the analysis shows that the criminal markets in Albania present a disturbing situation with active groups in cities such as: Tirana, Durres, Vlora, Gjirokastra, Fieri, Shkodra, Elbasani, Kurbini and Fushë Kruja. "In Tirana and the coastal cities, the groups deal mainly with money laundering, while drug trafficking has become a problem in Durrës, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, Fier and Kurbin. Corruption of justice officials has been evidenced in Durrës, Shkodër, Laç and Fushë Krujë. Murders and murder attempts are frequent in Durrës, Fushë Krujë, Fier, Vlorë, Shkodër and Elbasan. In Fushë Krujë there is a trade in weapons, explosives and stolen cars that are then used in criminal events," said the head of SPAK . Duman also spoke about the criminal groups that are involved in the international drug trafficking market, mainly cocaine, saying that they already dominate the market in the countries of origin, that is, in South America. "Albanian criminal groups are involved in the international market of drug trafficking, having controlled the traffic of the closed cycle and having a dominant position in the countries of origin of cocaine trafficking. These groups are also active in international markets, mainly America of the South, the EU, Great Britain and the region. Some of the features of these groups are: membership of 15 to 20 people, polycriminal activity (drug trafficking, murder and weapons production), violence for territorial control, involvement of women in secondary positions , sophisticated murders for hire, encrypted communications and conversion of money into cryptocurrency", said the head of SPAK.