Avoid pretrial detention,” Parliament sends SPAK 32 recommendations: Focus on confiscating corruption assets

On July 23, the Socialist majority approved the resolution on SPAK, a document obtained by Top Channel, one of whose guidelines concerns limiting the use of pretrial detention.

The resolution, signed by Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi, was sent to the Special Prosecution Structure and asks it to draft, by August 23, an action plan for implementing 32 recommendations for 2026. The document calls on SPAK to review the way personal security measures are used and increase the application of alternatives to pretrial detention, in line with European human rights standards.

According to the resolution, during 2026, an assessment must be conducted every four months of the length of pretrial detention and its relationship to final sentences. The aim is to identify cases in which time spent in pretrial detention approaches or significantly covers the final sentence, and to take steps to prevent such a practice.

Parliament also considers it essential to reduce the number of carried-over case files and improve the quality of cases referred for trial, particularly with regard to meeting evidentiary standards.

An important part of the recommendations concerns financial and asset investigations conducted in parallel with criminal investigations. SPAK is asked to pay greater attention to the confiscation of assets in corruption cases, especially when senior levels of the public administration are involved. According to Parliament, criminal prosecution should go beyond establishing individual responsibility and directly address illicit economic benefits.

The document calls for periodic analyses during 2026 of the effectiveness of criminal prosecution in cases involving senior officials and former senior officials. These assessments should include the number of proceedings, the individuals referred for trial and the level of asset confiscation. It also recommends continuing to consolidate results in the investigation and prosecution of corruption and organized crime, with the aim of increasing the number of proceedings that end with final court decisions. Particular focus should be placed on high-level corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking and criminal offenses committed by structured criminal groups.

Other instructions include speeding up the recruitment of financial investigators, National Bureau of Investigation employees and judicial police officers. Parliament also calls for workloads to be distributed evenly, international cooperation to be expanded and the development of the Electronic Case Management System to continue. The system is intended to strengthen transparency through real-time statistical reporting.

Another recommendation concerns the process of appointing the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation. Parliament asks SPAK to analyze, in line with the EU recommendation, the need to review the relevant rules and procedures in order to guarantee an open, competitive and timely process.