18 December 2025
Six civil society organizations have come together in a joint statement in support of the independence of Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure SPAK, the dismantling of the myth of impunity, institutional integrity, and the objective investigation of any public official involved in corrupt acts.
Our organizations are closely monitoring, with concern, the events of recent months and days, based on information made public through media reports and official communications from SPAK, regarding the investigation of several high-level officials and a number of administrators and executives in the business sector, for corruption-related offenses and violations of the principle of equality in high-value public procurement procedures. Publicly disclosed data indicate corruption practices of alarming proportions, including the abuse of public funds belonging to Albanian taxpayers.
We fully respect the principle of the presumption of innocence for every individual, regardless of their status as a person with knowledge of the facts, a person under investigation, or a defendant.
The key recommendations of this statement include the following:
- No public pressure should be exerted on judical institutions by the Prime Minister, politicians, or other officials. The Constitution and our legal system guarantee that every citizen, including high-ranking public officials, has the right and access to legal defense in all proceedings against them, as well as the right to appeal interim and final decisions of the prosecution and the courts before a higher court. Prejudicial statements by public figures in such circumstances create the perception of undue protection for these individuals.
- We express concern regarding the departure from the country of individuals under investigation by SPAK and call on the State Police to ensure transparency regarding the conditions and circumstances under which these individuals left the territory, potentially evading investigation and direct engagement with justice, including whether exit bans or personal security measures had been imposed on them.
- We call on the Council on Rules, Mandates and Immunities to review, impartially and in accordance with the law, SPAK’s request for authorization to lift the immunity of Deputy Prime Minister Ms. Belinda Balluku, who has been formally charged with the criminal offense of “Violation of the Equality of Participants in Public Tenders or Auctions.”
- We express concern that, unlike in democratic countries, in Albania the practice of resignation in such cases remains largely absent, even though it would constitute a demonstration of integrity by officials and individuals accused or under investigation, pending a final decision by the justice institutions.
Signatory Organizations:
- Albanian Helsinki Committee
- Institute for Political Studies
- Center for the Study of Democracy and Governance
- Albanian Institute of Science – Open Data Albania
- Qendresa Qytetare
- European Movement in Albania