From Altin DUMANI
Thanks to everyone who joined us today!
As five years ago, on December 19, 2019, the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime was founded, part of the corpus of new bodies brought about by the Justice Reform, which Albanian citizens never questioned.
Five years ago, Albanian society decided to confidently take the decisive step in the fight against corruption and organized crime. The Special Prosecutor's Office was created to have a key role in this mission, to show that it can be faced with courage to return Albanian citizens' faith in the rule of law and to strengthen one of the main principles of democracy: Everyone is equal before the law and no one can be privileged by it. From the time when we applied to become part of this Structure, we were clear that these two missions would help us pave the way towards the integration of Albania into the European family. We are proud of our contribution in facilitating the achievement of this aspiration of our fellow citizens. We are determined along the path of integration and to maintain the European standard of law enforcement, together with our international partners, as contributors to a large family, to protect and strengthen the rule of law.
Dear friends and guests!
In the beginning, we were only eight prosecutors. Enkeleda, Elida, Ben, Clodis, Behari, Edwin, Eneid and me. Then Doloresa, Dritani, Vladimiri, Manjola, Sotiri, Dorina, Adnani, Alfredi, Elvini and finally Anita, Olsi and Bledari joined us. We started with a voluminous stack of files carried over from the former Serious Crimes Prosecutor's Office as well as those transferred from district prosecutors' offices, in the absence of the National Bureau of Investigation and with a greatly reduced number of administrative staff. In addition to our work as prosecutors, we were trying to contribute to the establishment of this new institution, the foundations of which had already been laid.
Various difficulties were encountered, both in the establishment of the institution from the formal and the infrastructural side. We had to work in challenging working conditions, face the difficulties of the COVID19 epidemic or other natural disasters.
It was necessary to create a physiognomy and mindset that would fit the new philosophy of justice reform, where teamwork, independence and professional and personal integrity prevail above all.
The sacrifices continue the same, but this is our personal part, a not small cost, which we, the 20 SPAK prosecutors, 60 BKH investigators, financial investigators and support staff today, have accepted.
I would like to express my gratitude to my colleague, Arben Kraja, the first head of the Special Prosecutor's Office who bore the brunt of the difficulties that accompanied the creation and construction of the institution.
In these five years, together with 60 investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation and financial investigators, we brought punishment to the highest levels of power.
In the 5-year period, SPAK has registered 1809 criminal proceedings for 2496 persons. Of them, 1387 people have been sent for trial. This result is a clear indication of our commitment to advancing justice and holding those who break the law accountable.
Regarding corruption, we count today:
- 1097 proceedings and 1036 persons under investigation.
- 61 senior officials registered for corruption, 70% of them have been sent for trial.
As far as Organized Crime is concerned, we have:
- 494 proceedings for 955 persons under investigation
- The number of persons processed constitutes 38.14% of the total
On terrorism:
- 50 criminal proceedings with
- 29 people under investigation
- The number of persons processed is 1.16% of the total.
Property proceedings in the context of money laundering (anti-mafia law):
- 73 proceedings with 141 subjects were registered
As far as international cooperation is concerned, 42 joint investigative teams have been set up, of which 27 are active.
We have also signed cooperation agreements with:
The European Public Prosecutor's Office, the British NCA, USKOK (Croatia), the prosecutor's offices of Italy, Spain, Romania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, etc.
SPAK has seized and confiscated over 182 million euros of assets, secured through illegal means.
We have investigated officials at all levels, prosecutors, judges, former high-ranking police officers and politicians, as well as criminal groups and organizations, giving a clear message that justice knows no sides and that there are no untouchables, if the laws of this country is violated, stepped on, stepped on. We have strengthened institutional cooperation with local and foreign law enforcement agencies.
I express my gratitude for the cooperation with the General Jurisdiction Prosecutor's Office, the State Police, the State Information Service (SHISH) with the High State Control (KLSH), ILDKPKI, the Financial Intelligence Agency, which has borne its fruits and has a qualitative growth. Also, allow me to thank the KLP for the care shown in relation to the fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of the staff of the Special Prosecutor's Office as well as the protection of the institution whenever it was necessary.
Let me thank our international partners; The United States, the European Union and their supporting missions; OPDAT, ICITAP, DEA, FBI, Europol, Eurojust, who since the creation of the Special Prosecutor stand side by side with us, international law enforcement agencies and liaison officers who have enabled the expansion of cooperation and the increase of information exchange for our joint investigations .
Currently, SPAK cooperates closely with many European countries, Latin American countries, the United States of America and countries of the Region.
Dear participants!
What inspires us all is how close we feel to the public, how vulnerable today is not only their trust, but the overthrow of a mindset that tolerates corruption, where corruption sneaks into various areas of our lives unpunished, where crime makes plans to legitimize lawlessness in various aspects of life.
We have tried modestly in these 5 years to show that corruption is challenged, that organized crime can be brought before responsibility, that today there cannot be high public officials immune from justice, that the law works, and that young people can strongly hope for a state of law.
This effort of ours so far has not been without difficulties. Corruption or crime cannot disappear overnight; we have faced attempts to undermine our work, with insults, slander, threats against us or our family members.
But in front of them we have gathered together, as a single body of colleagues. We have understood how important is the independence of the institution, where we exercise our duties and how important is the integrity of each of us.
If anyone thinks otherwise, you are wrong! We have sworn to serve the country, Albanian justice and Albanian citizens.
Every day we remind ourselves that our mission does not end with the next file, we don't have time to explain ourselves, but to continue with the next one.
It takes persistence and adaptation.
That is why we say without hesitation today that SPAK is strong because it is independent and that our common aspiration is to have a strong justice system, where the law is applied and is not a privilege for some and suffering for others who wander in seeking justice.
It is not our aim and mission to condemn anyone. We think and care seriously that in our work we are guided by the law and respect for human rights.
But the Albanian society has entrusted us with a vital mission; such as the uncompromising fight against those who have captured and exploit it unjustly.
Therefore, justice has the mission of creating and maintaining the balance of its scales, so that the entire system works in the service and benefit of citizens, without any distinction; all equal before justice.
Dear friends, colleagues, participants!
As we celebrate five years of the establishment of SPAK, we feel proud of the joint achievements so far, but this does not distract us from our task. But it makes us feel more responsible and professionally mature.
We are aware that many things could have been done better. We listen very carefully to any constructive criticism and try to address it without wasting time.
We put the lessons learned at the service of the road ahead.
More than anyone, we owe it to future generations and we hope that our efforts today serve to provide them with a society where accountability, integrity, honesty are the foundation of Albanian institutions.
I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart, all the prosecutors, the BKH Director and investigators, financial investigators, experts, SPAK administrative staff, local institutions and our permanent partners, the USA and the European Union and all fellow Albanian citizens.
A special thanks goes to our family members, who have understood us for the time we missed with them and for the patience shown to our daily emotional burdens. Our success cannot be meaningful without you.
We also thank the civil society, the media and especially the field journalists, who follow SPAK's activity step by step with objectivity and challenge us constructively.
I thank the Guard of the Republic and the State Police who are engaged in the protection and safety of the prosecutors and their families.
- Thanking you on behalf of all the staff, I wish SPAK a happy birthday today and further success in its vital function.
The mission continues!
* The speech delivered by Altin Dumani at the ceremony for the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime. (A2 Televizion)
A2 CNN Livestream
MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
