Albania’s Justice System Remains Flawed, Corruption Persists

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Albania’s justice system continues to struggle with heavy sentences for ordinary citizens and light sentences for organized crime members, despite efforts to reform the system. The country’s detention system remains plagued by a high proportion of pre-trial detainees, with many cases failing to target the upper echelons of criminal organizations.

Challenges in Fighting Organized Crime

• Investigations and prosecutions often fail to dismantle criminal groups effectively, leading to limited convictions and a lack of progress in the fight against organized crime.
• The smuggling of illicit goods and people across the country’s borders remains a significant challenge.

Cybersecurity Concerns

• Albania lacks the necessary cybersecurity infrastructure to protect its digital assets, making it vulnerable to money laundering.
• Despite efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering measures, the country has become an important destination for illegal activities.

Informal Economy and Corruption

• The informal economy accounts for at least a third of the country’s GDP, hampering economic development.
• Weak contract enforcement, high levels of informality in financial intermediation, unclear property rights, and widespread corruption are major constraints to private sector growth.

Victim Support and Civil Society

• The government has made progress in passing legislation on victim support, but implementation remains a challenge.
• Civil society organizations play a crucial role in providing aid to vulnerable groups, but they rely heavily on external donors rather than government funding.
• Press freedom is generally respected, but few media outlets enjoy financial independence, and politicians often use rhetoric that undermines the free press.

Government Efforts and Action Plans

• The Albanian government has announced new action plans aimed at improving crime prevention, including awareness-raising campaigns and increased engagement with civil society, business, and media.
• However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of corruption and organized crime in the country.

Funding Disclosure

This report was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.