Hotel owner arrested in Tirana / Suspected of sheltering 7 Sudanese nationals and helping them reach the border

Border Police arrested Petrit Spaho, 66, the owner of a hotel in Vaqarr, Tirana, on suspicion of providing shelter to 7 migrants from Sudan and arranging their transportation for the illegal crossing of the border toward European Union countries.

The arrest was carried out as part of the operation codenamed “Stafeta,” conducted by the Investigative Section of the Tirana Local Directorate for Border and Migration.

The investigation concerns suspicions that he assisted illegal border crossings in exchange for profit.

According to the authorities, Spaho, a resident of Tirana, is being investigated for the criminal offenses of “Assistance in the illegal crossing of borders,” “Actions obstructing the discovery of the truth,” and “Illegal production and possession of hunting and sporting firearms.”

The investigation uncovered suspicions that the 66-year-old had accommodated several foreign nationals at his hotel in Vaqarr and then organized their transportation to Koplik, with the aim of helping them illegally cross the border and continue their journey toward EU countries.

Two taxis were placed under surveillance by the Tirana Border Police. Following cooperation with Shkodër Border Police officers, the vehicles were stopped and 7 Sudanese nationals were found inside. They are being prosecuted while at liberty for the criminal offense of “Illegal crossing of the state border.”

Meanwhile, the case of the taxi driver identified by the initials P. Gj. has also been referred to the Prosecutor’s Office. Proceedings have been initiated against him while at liberty for the criminal offense of “Assistance in the illegal crossing of borders.”

During the operation, two hunting firearms were seized as material evidence, one of which is suspected to have been held without a permit, along with hunting ammunition, 7 mobile phones, two taxis, and the hotel’s guest registration book.

The procedural materials were forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office attached to the Tirana First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction for further action.