Exclusive Report: Albania Launches Special Unit to Combat Cybercrime
In a significant move to tackle the growing menace of cybercrime, Albania has established a dedicated unit within its Prosecutor’s Office to investigate and prosecute online offenses. The Cyber Crime Investigation Unit was set up in June 2014, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to combat digital crimes.
Initial Focus Areas
The unit will initially operate in eight district prosecution offices across the country, with Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Vlore, Fier, Korce, and Shkoder being the first areas of focus. The unit is tasked with investigating a wide range of cybercrimes, including:
- Computer dissemination of materials promoting genocide or crimes against humanity
- Threats made due to racist and xenophobic motives through computer systems
- Dissemination of racist or xenophobic materials through computer systems
- Insulting behavior due to racist or xenophobic motives through computer systems
- Computer fraud, falsification, unauthorized access, and illegal data transmission
Scope of Investigation
The unit’s scope also extends to other serious moral crimes, such as:
- Pornography
- Fraud related to works of art and culture
- Violation of intellectual property rights
Combating Corruption and Economic Crime
In addition to combating cybercrime, the unit is working to strengthen the country’s ability to investigate corruption and economic crime. The Directorate of Control of Investigation of Economic Crimes and Corruption was established in 2014 to oversee the investigation of these crimes, with a focus on financial investigations and the seizure of illegally obtained funds.
Strategy for Success
The fight against cybercrime requires strong professional capacity and logistical structures, as well as cooperation between public and private entities. To achieve this goal, the unit is working to:
- Strengthen professional capacity through training programs for prosecutors and judicial police officers
- Familiarize staff with international legislation and best practices in computer crimes investigation
- Establish partnerships with private sector organizations to enhance information technology capabilities
Key Appointments
The appointment of cyber experts to support prosecutors and judicial police officers is also a key aspect of the unit’s strategy.
Evolving Threats
As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate, the threat posed by cybercrime is growing significantly. The establishment of this special unit is a crucial step in Albania’s efforts to stay ahead of these threats and protect its citizens from online criminal activity.