After searches of Ron Yeffet and Ardi Veliu, SPAK investigates abuse of office and violation of equality in tenders

One day after the search of the home of Israeli-American businessman Ron Yeffet, the Special Prosecution Office has opened an investigation into two criminal offenses: abuse of office and violation of equality in tenders. The proceedings were initiated mainly on the basis of several audio recordings published by fugitive former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. In the conversations, Yeffet is heard communicating with two foreign nationals identified as Igor and Sergei.

According to Ahmetaj’s statements, the conversations are linked to a suspected scheme to traffic weapons and ammunition through Albania. Sources say the investigation is also focusing on suspicions that Yeffet’s companies were favored by state officials in the awarding of contracts.

The main subjects of the investigation are the companies Timak Defence and ADVANCED ARMS TECHNOLOGY. TIMAK Defence is 80 percent owned by TIMAK, while the remaining 20 percent of the shares belong to KAYO.

Ron Yefeti owns 49 percent of Timak, while 51 percent is owned by Arjeta Puca. In the case of ADVANCED ARMS TECHNOLOGY, 80 percent of the shares belong to UNO 18 and 20 percent to the state, through KAYO. UNO 18 has two shareholders, Ron Yeffet and Arejta Puca, who each own 50 percent of the shares.

BKH investigators searched the villa used by businessman Yeffet. He was found at the residence and, among other things, his mobile phone was seized. Meanwhile, regarding the director of the state-owned company KAYO, Ard Veliu, the investigative team went to his home in the morning but did not find him, as he had already left for work.

The investigators then went to KAYO’s premises, where they carried out the Special Court’s order for a personal search in his office. This also included the seizure of his mobile phone. Documents and the phone of a senior official at the Ministry of Defense were also seized.

The search at the defense institution lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes. Dozens of pages of documents, mainly contracts, were taken from the premises of TIMAK. Meanwhile, SPAK has signed the first summonses to question people with knowledge of the case.

Arben Ahmetaj has suggested that he also possesses other audio recordings, centered on businessman Yeffet.