8 SPAK Members Are Sworn In

8 SPAK Members Are Sworn In

8 prosecutors of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure have officially started their duties since Thursday morning.

In the presence of senior international representatives, Elida Kaçkini, Enkeleda Millonaj, Edvin Kondili, Behar Dibra, Arben Kraja, Klodian Braho, Ened Nakuçi and Altin Dumani were sworn in at a solemn ceremony before the President of the Republic.

Arben Kraja was elected the head of SPAK. The prosecutor in the General Prosecution Office won the 6 votes he needed from the members of the HCP to get the mandate for a 3-year term without the right to be re-elected.

The Prosecutor General's Office received 6 votes from the HCP members out of the 4 votes that Altin Dumani received. The third candidate, Edvin Kondili, received only the vote of the chairman of KLP, Gent Ibrahimi.

After the national anthem and reading the decisions of the High Council of Prosecution and putting their hand on the Albanian Constitution, the prosecutors sworn in to President Meta.

“I solemnly swear that in the performance of my duty I will always abide by the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, the laws in force, and abide by the rules of professional ethics!” sworn in the prosecutors.

The Serious Crimes Prosecution has now ceased the operation of all files considered as those of the “tough guys”, starting from Saimir Tahiri and Arbër Çekaj that will go to the SPAK. 24 files which are currently in trial, will pass to the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Structure, while 37 others will be transferred to district courts.

The United States and the European Union immediately congratulated 8 prosecutors on their start of duty. According to the US Embassy, this marks an important step in establishing the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure.

“The United States congratulates the eight prosecutors sworn in this morning as the first members of the Special Prosecution Office, marking a major milestone in the establishment of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK).

“Starting today, Albania has a body of prosecutors committed to identifying, investigating, and bringing to justice corrupt current and former officials and crime bosses – individuals who in the old days had been deemed untouchable.

“As Albania begins a new stage in its democratic and legal development, the United States will remain a steadfast partner to support the SPAK and all those who seek to end impunity and bring justice to the Albanian people,” stated the U.S. embassy.

EU Ambassador Soreca, through a status on the social network Twitter, considers this an important moment for the implementation of the justice reform. According to him, the fight against Corruption and organized crime is Albania's top priority and the path to EU membership.

“We welcome the swearing in today of 8 SPAK prosecutors in front of the President. They are now ready to start working, another important milestone for implementing justice reform. The fight against corruption and organized crime is a top priority for Albania on it’s’ EU accession path,” said Soreca.

EMISIONET