Press statement by the Minister of Justice Etilda Gjonaj:

During this week, the anticorruption structures, under the direction of the National Anticorruption Coordinator, have continued intensive work aimed at implementation of the government’s action plan on documenting and cracking down on corrupt practices and abuse of office at all levels of public administration across the country.

In this framework, the Anticorruption Task Force has carried out an in-depth inspection action at the Tax Investigation Directorate – Northern Region of Shkodra.

The Anticorruption Task Force set in motion a whole inspection process following a denunciation reported via the online co-governance platform “shqiperiaqeduam.al” to verify the implementation of the legal framework in imposing administrative sanctions on several economic entities and their execution.

The inspection process found a series of various violations and failure to respect legal criteria, violation of inspection regulations, or deficiencies in filling and maintaining the relevant documentation.

In their final report following the inspection at the Tax Investigation Directorate – Northern Region of Shkodra, the inspection teams have recommended disciplinary actions against 36 individuals and dismissal of 22 employees, whereas 14 others were issued warning notice of termination of employment.

The inspection teams have recommended dismissal of the following:

The Director of the Tax Investigation Directorate – Northern Region of Shkodra.

21 tax investigation inspectors.

Meanwhile, warning notice of termination of employment has been issued for:

1 sector head

13 tax investigation inspectors;

The Anticorruption Task Force has continued very good and close collaboration with the State Police, Prosecutor’s Office and other law enforcement agencies in the country.

The State Police structures have discovered 13 crime cases related to corruption and other criminal offences committed by state public employees.

The State Police have filed criminal charges against 26 individuals involved in suspected corruption practices:

7 of them have been detained;

17 others were freed on bail and remain on remand;

While 2 other perpetrators have been declared wanted.

Four former employees of the Immovable Property Registration Office in Kavaja have been arrested after the Durres Appeals Court ruled for them to remain in custody.

Meanwhile, the State Police have referred to the Prosecutor’s Office the case on:

1 former head of commune in Lezha;

2 former members of the commission for land distribution in Velipoja, Shkodra region;

All these individuals face passive corruption charges, abuse of office, embezzlement and falsification of documents.

We are aware that the fight against corruption is a constant and complex challenge that cannot be limited either in time or in the control space.

But we are also convinced, and the most recent results, such as the case of the Tax Investigation Directorate in Shkodra, have confirmed to us that the anti-graft war could become even more efficient if a good cooperation with the public is established.

Therefore, we will continue to be very sensitive and ready to swiftly act to any complaint, denunciation or information that will be forwarded by citizens to the co-governance platform.

Thank you!