Albania’s Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) has launched investigations into potential assets in Albania linked to 89 Kosovo Albanian nationals, amid suspicions they may originate from criminal activities.
The investigative actions follow a request from Kosovo’s judicial authorities, who are probing 31 individuals suspected of belonging to an organised crime group involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. The suspects were identified through communications on the encrypted SKY ECC platform, based on data obtained from Belgian and French authorities.
The request by Kosovo’s Special Prosecution was approved by Albania’s Special Court, authorising SPAK to conduct investigations on behalf of the Kosovo authorities.
According to findings from the Kosovo investigation, proceeds from criminal activities were allegedly channelled through various businesses and converted into movable and immovable assets, including land, houses, apartments and vehicles, in an effort to conceal their illicit origin. Some of these assets are believed to be located in Albania.
As part of the probe, SPAK will also examine assets and possible bank accounts in Albania linked not only to the suspects but also to 58 family members, in whose names illegal assets may have been registered.