GJKKO Approves Summary Trial for Benet Beci in 68 Million Lek Tender Case

The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has approved a request for a summary trial for Shkodra Mayor Benet Beci and six other defendants in proceedings related to a tender worth around 68 million lek, conducted while he headed the Albanian Power Corporation (KESH).

Meanwhile, the court decided to sever the case against defendant Premtim Dauti, which will be heard under the ordinary procedure. The next hearing has been scheduled for September 14, when SPAK will present its final arguments and sentencing request for the defendants. During the hearing, Beci and the other defendants requested that the case be dismissed, arguing that the amnesty law should apply to them.

Meanwhile, the SPAK representative said its position on the request would be submitted in writing at the next hearing, while the court will issue a final decision at the end of the proceedings. According to the charges, Benet Beci and six of his former subordinates are suspected of violating public procurement rules in a consulting tender conducted by KESH in 2019 by favoring one economic operator and undermining competition among the participants in the procedure. The investigation was launched after evidence seized during another SPAK investigation was analyzed.