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The former deputy mayor of Tirana, Arbjan Mazniku, testified on Thursday, October 2, as a witness called by SPAK in the judicial process for the corruption case called 5D, regarding his powers and duties in tender procedures. In addition to Mazniku, five other witnesses called by the prosecution gave their explanations, some of whom are partners in the 5-star hotel venture in Durrës, of which the company linked to Redi Molla is a part. The last three witnesses requested by the prosecution were decided to be re-invited to appear in the next session on October 9.
The prosecutor in the case, Klodian Braho, asked Maznik several questions regarding the functions and responsibilities in tender procedures, the way in which members of procurement committees were selected, as well as his acquaintances with Redi Molla, Mariglen Qato, etc.
Mazniku explained that he held the position of head of the contracting authority. He admitted that he had signed the acts for the tender procedures, while explaining that the responsibility was assigned to experts in the relevant fields in the Municipality of Tirana.
The former deputy mayor of Tirana described himself only as a certifier of procurement processes, underlining that the responsibility for the content of the acts had been delegated to experts in the relevant fields. According to Maznik, there were cases where dozens of tender procedures were carried out every day and that his duty was, in his capacity as the head of the contracting authority, to carry out the final verification of the procedure, as well as to sign the contract at the end. He explained that the members of the procurement units and bid evaluation committees were selected according to their expertise.
"In all cases, all experts in the respective fields signed the document and took responsibility," Mazniku claimed, among other things.
He added that before signing, he made sure that the responsible persons had completed the signing of the acts and their duties. "I simply certified it as a process," Mazniku reiterated.
Former founder of the Mjaft Movement and the G99 Party with Erjon Veliaj, Arbjan Mazniku served as Deputy Mayor of Tirana from 2015 to 2023, when he was elected Minister of State for Local Government. In the 2025 parliamentary elections, Mazniku was elected MP for the Elbasan district.
He further stated that he had good relations with former directors Redi Molla and Mariglen Qato, as well as with all officials and employees of the municipality. On the other hand, he denied having any knowledge of the interests of the two defendants in other private companies.
When questioned by lawyers, Mazniku stated that there had been no interference in his favor to the 5D company. He also said that he had no knowledge of the person who administered this company.
Dritan Kadiu, the administrator of the company "Mediterranean Investment Group" that is building the 5-star hotel in Durrës, which has also received special status as an investor, resulting in connections with Redi Molla, gave his testimony about his acquaintance with the latter.
Kadiu explained that since 1994 he has had a family business on the site where the hotel was built. Kadiu claimed that he had 800 m2 of land, of which 400 m2 he had sold to Selim Molla, the late father of Redi Molla, while he had kept 400 m2. He explained that he had carried out the operations with the late Selim Molla. Regarding the works, he claimed that those of the carbine phase were carried out by the 5D company.
Kadiu said that he had invested the land and money. According to him, since 2008 he had tried many times to develop the land, but it had been impossible with the area he owned, as more space was needed. He claimed that he knew both Selim and Redi Molla as they are residents of the same city and have lived there. Kadiu claimed that when several entrepreneurs came together, they were able to secure the land they needed and start the investment.
Another witness, businessman Gazmend Haxhia, involved in the construction of the 5-star hotel, stated that he runs the largest company operating in the country in the field of tourism. He said that he had contributed to the possibility of obtaining a loan worth 11 million euros. Haxhia claimed that he initially knew Selim Molla, while Redi Molla met him later when he accompanied his late father.
Kadiu and Haxhia said they were part of a group on the Whatsapp application, where they communicated about everything related to this project.
The criminal case against Redi Molla, Mariglen Qato and five other defendants has been registered for the criminal offenses of active and passive corruption, failure to declare, false declarations or concealment of assets, violation of equality in tenders and money laundering. The court decided that their trial will be conducted through ordinary procedure. Meanwhile, investigations into other corruption cases allegedly committed by Tirana Municipality officials were separated. /BIRN
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