Lindita Cela

Feb 11, 2025 | occrp.org | Lindita Cela

Albanian authorities arrested Erion Veliaj, the mayor of Tirana, on Monday, accusing him of corruption, money laundering, and related crimes. If convicted, Veliaj could face up to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said.  The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) also charged Veliaj’s wife, Ajola Xoxa, placing her under house arrest. SPAK alleges the couple secured more than 1 million euros ($1.03 million) in illicit income over four years through a corrupt scheme.

Oct 20, 2024 | occrp.org | Lindita Cela

The country’s Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) ordered the arrest, but by late afternoon on October 21, it had not released an official statement regarding the charges against Meta, his wife Monika Kryemadhi, or other Freedom Party officials. National Bureau of Investigation agents stopped Meta’s car as he was driving to the party headquarters, where he was scheduled to hold a press conference. SPAK has been investigating Meta since January 2023.

Sep 13, 2024 | occrp.org | Lindita Cela

Albanian prosecutors have indicted former Prime Minister and opposition leader Sali Berisha on corruption charges related to a property deal involving also his son-in-law. Berisha denies any wrongdoing and claims the case is politically motivated.

Jul 4, 2024 | occrp.org | Lindita Cela

Beqaj, who served as Albanian Health Minister from 2013 to 2017, is suspected of orchestrating fictitious procurement procedures in at least eight tender competitions for EU-financed projects in Albania, under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) said.