Press statement by the Minister of Justice Etilda Gjonaj on the weekly results of the anti-graft fight:

The Anti-Corruption Task Force, together with the law enforcement institutions, keeps on precisely implementing the action plans on verification of the denunciations and complaints filed via the online platform “shqiperiaqeduam.al,” by carrying out inspections in all state institutions that have accumulated repeated citizen complaints.

Over the past week, the Anti-Corruption Task Force has concluded a series of inspections in several institutions that provide public services in the district of Lezha, namely as following:

Regional hospital in Lezha,

Lezha Regional Directorate of the Albanian Food Authority,

Agriculture Directorate in Lezha,

After the inspection findings, the Task Force has recommended 26 disciplinary actions, seven of them providing for the removal of employees from the public service.

1 inspector of the Lezha Regional Directorate of the Albanian Food Authority and six other inspectors of the Tirana Regional Directorate of Food Authority who had been involved in inspection activities in Lezha Directorate.

The inspections have revealed serious violations for which the Anti-Corruption Task Force and the relevant structures have filed indictments with the Prosecution Office of the Lezha Judicial District.

Based on the evidenced violations, charges have been brought against seven employees of these institutions, namely as following:

Former head of the Lezha Regional Directorate of the Food Authority, as well as six inspectors of this institution suspected on abuse of office charges after committing actions that gravely compromise the fulfilment of legal obligations regarding food safety.

Likewise, a series of successfully finalized operations during this week, thanks to the proactive proceedings conducted by the State Police in collaboration with the relevant structures, have cracked down on several corruption actions and have arrested several state employees caught in the act:

2 employees at the Regional Directorate of the Road Transport in Tirana;

8 policemen, two of them at Police Station No.1 in Tirana and six others at the Border Police Station in Kakavije, Gjirokaster.

Two tax investigation inspectors at the Regional Taxation Directorate in Tirana, whereas a third suspect has been declared wanted.

The results yielded in the increased fight against corruption each week and punishment of every corruption practice, thanks also to the very good cooperation among all relevant anti-corruption structures and the law enforcement agencies, are a clear indicator of our commitment and strong determination in the fight against graft.

The co-operation and trust citizens have shown by denouncing and filing their complaints with the platform “Albania we want” allow all government structures to interact and work together for a common purpose, not to tolerate any public administration employee who abuse office and ask bribes in exchange of delivering public services to the citizens.

We are committed to implement our policy of Zero Tolerance against corruption as a major challenge in our efforts to strengthen the rule of law and ensure public service delivery to the citizens.

Thank you!