Financial Crime World

Financial Crime Examples in Albania: Spak Takes on Corruption

Albania has long struggled with corruption at all levels of society, but a new approach is being taken to tackle this issue with the introduction of a special anti-corruption body known as Spak. The organization is made up of a special prosecution office, national bureau of investigation, and special courts dealing with corruption and organized crime.

Spak’s Impact

Since its establishment in 2016, Spak has already confiscated assets and cash worth over £100 million, a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to combat financial crime. Prior to Spak’s creation, there were few cases of corruption being prosecuted, as individuals could often avoid charges by paying bribes.

Spak’s Jurisdiction

Spak takes on cases involving corruption of values over:

  • ALL50,000 (approximately £385) for public officials
  • ALL800,000 (approximately £6,400) for corruption related to public procurement contracts

The organization has already established a track record in charging influential people for abusing their public office and participating in corruption.

Notable Cases

  • Several ministry of health officials, including the deputy minister, were charged with alleged misuse of around £100m to buy medical equipment.
  • Former attorney general Adriatik Llalla received two years in prison for hiding his wealth.
  • Former minister of interior Saimir Tahiri received three years and four months in prison for abuses of power.

Albania’s Struggle with Corruption

Albania’s struggle with corruption is well-documented, ranking as one of the most corrupt states in Europe according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. The country also faces significant migration issues, with many young Albanians leaving the country due to a lack of opportunities and high levels of corruption.

International Support

To combat this issue, Spak will require ongoing support from both domestically and internationally. So far, there have been:

  • Ten joint investigations with other European countries in 2022
    • Six with Italy
    • One with the UK

The US and UK have also taken measures to highlight corruption in Albania, sanctioning and banning entry to a number of high-level public officials and businesspeople for allegedly engaging in corruption and undermining the rule of law and democracy.

Training and Partnerships

  • The majority of Spak investigators are trained at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia
  • The UK hosted Spak’s head Altin Dumani in London to develop new partnerships

Combating Corruption

However, combating corruption requires more than just an anti-corruption body - it also requires a concerted effort from public institutions, the media, and citizens. Albania must develop a strategy that can effectively control corruption if it genuinely wants to improve its society and economy, decrease migration, attract foreign investment, and accelerate its integration into the EU.

Conclusion

While there is no country in the world that has completely eradicated corruption, those countries that have been successful in keeping it under control have done so by developing strategies that do not undermine the independence and efficiency of public institutions. This must be the aim for both Albanian politicians and society.