Press statement by the Minister of Justice Etilda Gjonaj, also National Anticorruption Coordinator, over results in the fight against corruption:
The Anticorruption Task Force and the law enforcement agencies have stepped up their control and inspection actions in the institutions tasked with delivering public services to identify and document any potential corruption practices and legal offences committed by the public administration officials and employees to gain illicit benefits.
Based on the denunciations and complaints filed with the Co-Governance Platform “Albania We Want.al,” the Anticorruption Task Force has carried out control and inspection actions in several institutions like:
The regional office of Agency of Legalisation Urbanisation and Integration of Informal Zone/Building (ALUIZNI) in Durres;
The office of Agency of Legalisation Urbanisation and Integration of Informal Zone/Building in Kavaja;
The Tirana office of State Labour and Social Services Inspectorate.
Following the audit, the Task Force has recommended 26 disciplinary actions, including five dismissals, namely:
three sector heads and two specialists at Durres ALUIZNI office
The inspections have found that violations committed by administration employees contain elements of criminal offenses. Under these conditions, the Anticorruption Task Force has filed criminal charges with the Prosecution Office against 6 employees, namely:
Former Durres ALUIZNI Director, three sector heads and two specialists of this institution, who are suspected of committing abuse of office in collaboration, by legalizing informal buildings without respecting due legalization procedures.
It turned out these employees have legalized non-existing buildings, or larger than actual land areas.
Taking notice of the aforementioned findings, procedures to immediately restore the violated rights have been launched by cancellation of these action’s consequences. Based on the Anticorruption Task Force recommendations the legalization permit issued has been revoked as the act was issued in violation of the law and a restriction order was issued for the purpose of property protection.
The institutional cooperation between the Anticorruption Task Force, the Prosecutor’s Office, the State Police and other relevant institutions has kept strengthening, in an evidence of the state structures’ readiness and commitment to counter this phenomenon that undermines the rule of law, weakens democracy and undermines the country’s development economic development.
Following an inspection by the Internal Control Service of the Prison System, charges have been filed against Kruja prison director and a sector head, as well as two policemen in Vaqar prison on alleged abuse of office charges.
Likewise, a specialist at the Registration and Cartography Sector at the regional Immovable Property Registration Office has been dismissed on charges of soliciting bribe in exchange of providing public services.
The citizens and delivering quality services to them will continue to be at the highlight of the government’s attention, as well as the punishment of all those who take advantage of position in the public administration to profit illegally through corruption practices.
Therefore, I urge every citizen to join our common efforts to combat corruption and access the Co-Governance Platform without hesitation, being convinced that their information will be verified and seriously considered by the Anticorruption Task Force in collaboration with all state structures to ensure that any law violator will be held legally accountable.
Thank you!
