FLASH
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Albania needs to implement existing laws, follow regulatory guidelines, conduct effective oversight, improve law enforcement cooperation, and expand the capacity of police and prosecutors to focus on corruption, money laundering, and complex economic crimes.
In the US State Department report, in the chapter on Albania, for 2025, the US expresses its support for SPAK, while a blow is dealt to Democratic leader Sali Berisha, both the 'non grata' declaration and the SPAK accusation, which he considers to be politically influenced by Soros.
The DASH report states that “SPAK increased the number and complexity of money laundering and seizure investigations and conducted parallel financial and asset investigations when it suspected illicit assets; however, prosecutions remain low.
“ In 2023, SPAK seized assets worth $43 million and, in 2024, continued with the arrests and seizure of assets of former senior officials. In September 2024, SPAK charged former Prime Minister and appointee under the “Department of State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Authorizations Act, 2021”, section 7031(c), Sali Berisha with corruption for official actions that benefited his family’s interests. SPAK also charged his son-in-law with corruption and money laundering. SPAK seized real estate, bank accounts, and the son-in-law’s share in companies linked to the corruption ,” the State Department report states.
The report further makes it clear that Albania must continue implementing justice reform, giving another slap to Berisha, who claims to dissolve SPAK.
" Albania should implement existing laws, follow regulatory guidance, conduct effective oversight, improve law enforcement cooperation, and expand the capacity of police and prosecutors to focus on corruption, money laundering, and complex economic crimes. Albania should fully implement the criminal code reforms of 2016 and 2017 ," the report said.
Furthermore, the DASH emphasizes that public officials are prohibited from holding large amounts of cash outside the banking system. They must declare assets annually and declare preferential financial treatment and usufruct of assets. Companies must register beneficial owners (usufructuary) and bank accounts.
The Special Prosecution Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has the authority to seize and confiscate assets. Law enforcement agencies use an anti-mafia law to seize assets related to drug trafficking and corruption. In May 2024, the interior minister announced the creation of the Asset Recovery Office. This office will prioritize the tracing and seizure of assets and funds from criminal activities.
Albania and the United States do not have a bilateral treaty on legal assistance, although they cooperate based on multilateral conventions and on the basis of understanding and reciprocity. A bilateral treaty on extradition is in force. /Pamphlet/
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