FLASH
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One of the most discussed episodes is related to the tragic event following the November 26, 2019 earthquake in Albania, when 17 people lost their lives at the "Vila Palma" hotel in Durrës.
Dëshira Qato, a corrupt local administration official who exercises functions in the Municipality of Kavaja in the urban planning and property sector, is one of the names that has been associated with suspicions and controversies for years regarding her activity in the public administration and possible connections with economic interests in the field of construction. According to available data and various administrative documents, this official has been mentioned in several investigative cases related to construction and the exercise of public office, while her activity continues even today in local government structures.
Her name has been mentioned in various prosecution investigations related to suspicions of violations in the field of construction and administration of public office. However, despite these suspicions and previous proceedings, she continues to hold positions in the administration, a fact that has repeatedly raised questions about the way these issues have been handled and the institutional transparency that should accompany the cases of public officials.
One of the most discussed episodes is related to the tragic event after the earthquake of November 26, 2019 in Albania, when 17 people lost their lives in the “Vila Palma” hotel in Durrës. At that time, the owners of the hotel were arrested, including Dëshira Qato and her husband Arben Qato. The event led to the opening of investigations for possible violations of building regulations and responsibilities related to the safety of construction structures. However, the way in which the proceedings were concluded and the further treatment of this issue have been the subject of debate and suspicion in public opinion.
At the same time, during the period when she served as director of the urban planning sector in the Municipality of Kavaja, her name was mentioned in other investigations related to suspicions of abuse of office and granting of construction permits in coastal areas. These proceedings were conducted within the framework of the prosecution's investigations into possible violations in the field of urban planning and territorial management.
Another element that has raised suspicions is related to her private activity parallel to her public duty. According to the commercial register data, Dëshira Qato is linked to a business activity in the field of construction and road approval with NIPT number K41817502K. This situation raises suspicions of a possible conflict of interest, as the public function in urban planning and the private activity in the construction sector can create a combination of interests that requires transparency and institutional verification.
Also in the spotlight is her husband, Arben Qato, who, according to business registry data, is involved in several commercial entities. Among them are various economic activities, including the entity with NIPT M11725511A, activity as a private firefighter expert with NIPT L01311057H, retail clothing trading activity, as well as the entity UNIVERSAL ENGINEERING 08 with NIPT K91420501K that operates in the field of construction and technical services. Other entities with NIPT K31729508W and K31510067R are also registered, for which no publicly declared activity results.
The network of businesses connected to this family also extends to the new generation. The two sons of the family, Klajd Qato and Kristi Qato, are involved in several companies registered in Albania. Klajd Qato appears as an administrator, partner or shareholder in several commercial entities, including THE KARL SHPK with NIPT M62514801C, registered in Tirana in 2026; EPIDAMN-C SHPK with NIPT M44102803R registered in Vlora in 2024; KLAKER CONSTRUCTION SHPK with NIPT M42522802C; EPIDAMN-B SHPK with NIPT M12617801P; and EPIDAMN-A SHPK with NIPT L91422505H registered in Durrës. He is also registered as a natural person with NIPT L92718802P.
These companies operate mainly in the construction sector and activities related to real estate development in cities such as Tirana, Durrës and Vlora. The extent of this economic activity and the value of investments associated with these entities have raised doubts and questions about the source of capital and the possible connection with the activity of public officials and resources derived from corruption.
For these reasons, SPAK and other justice bodies, instead of conducting full verifications on the economic activity related to this family, on the source of wealth and on any possible conflict of interest that may arise from the combination of public functions with private activity in sensitive sectors such as construction and urban planning, continue to allow a dangerous octopus on the Adriatic coast.
Despite these data on corruption and money laundering that require serious investigation, to date it does not appear that SPAK has made public the launch of a full investigation into this matter. When it comes to a public official linked to the urban planning sector and a network of economic activities in the construction field, the lack of a clear investigation by the justice institutions raises strong questions about the real functioning of the control mechanisms and the fight against corruption.
These circumstances require not only formal verifications, but an in-depth financial investigation to clarify every element related to the conflict of interest, the source of capital of the mentioned companies and any potential benefits that may have arisen from the combination of public functions with private activity. In a state that claims equal standards before the law, such cases cannot remain without an institutional response./ Infront-al
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