€30 Million in Tenders: Erion Isai and 14 Officials Face Preliminary Hearing at GJKKO

A preliminary hearing has begun at the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime for Kolonjë Mayor Erion Isai and 14 other defendants from Kolonjë Municipality and the Albanian Road Authority, who are accused of violating equality in tenders and abuse of office.

The case stems from an investigation by the Special Prosecution Office into three procurement procedures conducted in 2020, with a total value exceeding €30 million.

GJKKO is expected to review SPAK’s request to send the case to trial. The court may decide to grant the request and begin the trial, return the case for further investigation, or dismiss it.

The list of defendants includes:

Erion Isai – Mayor of Kolonjë

Eljona Mydini – Former Deputy Mayor of Kolonjë

Erjon Cenko – Kolonjë Municipality employee

Engjëll Dine – Kolonjë Municipality employee

Ermal Zylfo – Kolonjë Municipality employee

Armand Tafil – Kolonjë Municipality employee

Muharrem Tartari – Kolonjë Municipality employee

Shpëtim Liço – Kolonjë Municipality employee

Ergys Verdho – Former head of ARRSH

Erald Elezi – Former director at ARRSH

Genti Raça – Head of cost estimates at ARRSH

Donikë Shehu – Former specialist at ARRSH

Klarita Konomi – Former specialist at ARRSH

Nikollaq Mihali – Specialist at ARRSH

Erdit Salillari – Head of sector at ARRSH

According to SPAK’s investigation, the 2020 procurement procedures are under suspicion for violations of tendering rules and possible favoritism during the process.

The preliminary hearing will determine whether the case will proceed to trial on the merits, whether additional investigative steps will be requested, or whether the case will be closed at this stage.