The Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime has upheld the decision of the Court of First Instance for the defendants of the structured criminal group in drug trafficking. The defendants in question are; Sulo Pajo, Arian Tola, Fadjon Cami, Viron Lekaj, Artan Agalliu, Shpëtim Pjeshka, Jani Çavo, Besnik Ruçi, Pirro Çapi, Jani Meçja, Edmond Kabashi, Sonila Sula, Artur Sulaj and Kudret Rustemaj.
The verdict against the latter (Kudret Rustemaj) was changed, declaring him guilty of “narcotics trafficking” and “participation in a structured criminal group.” He was ultimately sentenced to 8 years in prison, after the application of a summary trial.
All court costs in both instances of the trial are borne by the defendants. The decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court within 45 days of notification.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SPECIAL COURT OF APPEALS FOR CORRUPTION AND ORGANIZED CRIME
The Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, with a panel composed of judges Igerta Hysi (presiding), Nertina Kosova (member) and Tereza Merkaj (member), on 22.07.2025, announced the decision regarding the case registered with no. 31 act, date 08.04.2025 registration, on the appeal filed by the Special Prosecutor's Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, the appeals filed by the defendants SP, AT, FC, VL, AA, Sh.P., J.Ç., BR, P.Ç., JM, EK, SS and AS, against decision no. 72, date 05.12.2024 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, and decided:
1. Upholding decision no. 72, dated 05.12.2024 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime for the defendants SP, AT, FC, VL, AA, Sh.P., J.Ç., BR, P.Ç., JM, EK, SS, AS
2. Amending decision no. 72, dated 05.12.2024 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime for the defendant KR, in the following manner:
- The guilty plea of the defendant KR for committing the criminal offense of "Drug Trafficking", attempted, committed in collaboration with a special form of a structured criminal group (for episode no. 4), provided for by articles 283/a/1 -22- 28/4 of the Criminal Code, and in connection with article 334/1 of the Criminal Code, his sentence to 12 (twelve) years of imprisonment.
- The guilty plea of the defendant KR for committing the criminal offense of "Structured criminal group", in the form of participation, as provided for by Article 333/a/2 of the Criminal Code, and based on this provision his sentence to 2 (two) years of imprisonment.
- Pursuant to Article 55 of the Criminal Code, in conjunction with the sentences, the sentence of the defendant KR to 12 (twelve) years of imprisonment.
- In application of Article 406/1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the above sentence is reduced by 1/3, with the defendant KR finally being sentenced to a single sentence of 8 (eight) years of imprisonment.
- The sentence for the defendant KR will begin to be served from the day of execution of this decision, including the duration of pre-trial detention, and will be served in a high-security prison.
3. The court costs, including those of the appeal trial, shall be borne jointly by the defendants.
4. The decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court within 45 (forty-five) days, starting from the day after its notification.
Proclaimed in Tirana, on 22.07.2025
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