Lawyer Ledio Braho spoke on News24’s “Kjo Javë” about SPAK’s investigations into politicians and senior officials, focusing particularly on expected developments in the case involving Belinda Balluku.
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According to Braho, SPAK prosecutors and officers of the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH) have the tools they need to conduct investigations. He stressed, however, that gathering evidence of corruption and electoral crime remains a complex process.
The lawyer explained that electoral crime must be investigated as it happens, while corruption cases require more time and resources. In this regard, he described the addition of around 40 new BKH officers as significant support for investigative work.
Braho also cited cooperation with foreign partners as one of the main sources of information in organized crime investigations.
Listing SPAK’s most important cases, he described the Belinda Balluku case as one of its biggest and most consequential. He said the case’s significance was also tied to Balluku’s political role, describing her as the second most powerful person in Albania’s government.
He added that Balluku continues to wield power and that the investigation into her remains particularly important because of the impact it could have. Braho also mentioned the SHISH case, calling it unprecedented for a leader of that institution to be placed under investigation.
“SPAK prosecutors, together with BKH officers, have all the mechanisms needed to conduct investigations. Corruption is difficult to investigate, as is electoral crime, because the latter must be investigated when it takes place. Corruption requires more work. Around 40 new BKH officers are currently being recruited, and that is a great help. Meanwhile, foreign partners have been a major source of information in organized crime investigations. But one thing is certain: the political class in particular has had its comfort disturbed,” he said.
Braho said SPAK had been expected to submit a new request, but had not done so yet. He also referred to the governing majority’s statement that authorization would be granted if a corruption charge were brought, stressing that it remains to be seen whether that will happen. According to him, allowing a person to remain free can also be part of an investigative strategy.
“I assess the situation based on information published in the media. Other people with knowledge of the case are being called in, and the investigation appears to be progressing at a satisfactory pace. This increased pace could lead to a new outcome for Ms. Balluku or for other people,” the lawyer said.
