New Complaint Filed with SPAK Against Former Deputy Prime Minister / Adriana Kalaja: Belinda Balluku and Petrit Malaj Implicated in Bankers’ €123 Million Case

Adriana Kalaja, chairwoman of the Appeals Commission of the Democratic Party, announced that she has filed two criminal complaints with SPAK against Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. One concerns the “Bankers” case, while the other concerns a photovoltaic park.

According to Kalaja, the complaint concerning the photovoltaic park has been registered and she has been summoned by the Special Prosecution Office to provide her explanations. She said the summons and registration of the complaint were carried out in record time.

“Yesterday I appeared to be questioned regarding the complaint. The prosecutor had assessed that the procedures had been carried out in record time,” Kalaja said.

Regarding the “Bankers” case file, she said an in-depth investigation is under way. In the materials she submitted to SPAK, Kalaja alleges that criminal offences may have been committed, including exerting unlawful influence, passive corruption, obtaining unlawful interests, laundering the proceeds of criminal activity, and establishing a criminal organisation or structured criminal group.

She said these suspicions concern Belinda Balluku, former Finance Minister Anila Denaj and other officials, including the current finance minister, in connection with a debt of around €123 million.

Kalaja alleged that the debt owed to the company “Bankers” was initially suspended and later waived by Belinda Balluku and Anila Denaj, although, according to her, they had no legal authority to make such a decision, as this responsibility lies solely with the General Directorate.

She described the case as a “Becchetti number 2” and called for a full investigation.

Regarding the Supreme Court’s decision, which upheld the measure suspending Belinda Balluku from carrying out her duties, Kalaja said she welcomed the ruling. However, she stated that the measures should have been harsher, linking this position to cases in which, according to her, opposition leaders have been arrested without being informed of the charges against them.

Kalaja also raised questions over the progress of the investigation. She stated that Prosecutor Prençi should have submitted the case file by April or requested an extension, adding that she has no information on whether such action has been taken.

“The lack of action since March to lift immunity raises suspicions for me that the case is being amnestied. The criminal offences may be reclassified and the risk could reach up to 35 years in prison. The law provides that the case file must be completed within six months, regardless of the decision that will be taken,” Adriana Kalaja said.