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The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime has announced the verdict for 23 members of two criminal groups accused of trafficking illegal immigrants to Albania and then to European Union countries. In total, 19 people were sentenced to 104 years in prison, while 4 others were acquitted.
According to SPAK investigations, criminal groups have organized the illegal entry of more than 650 foreign nationals, mainly from Bangladesh and Cameroon, during the period 2023-April 2024. The immigrants paid between 6 thousand and 8 thousand euros to enter Albania and then continue their journey to European Union countries.
The money was transferred mainly through the informal "Hawala" system, with payments made in Dubai and then reaching the network's leaders in Albania.
SPAK's investigations revealed that the organization operated on two levels. One group provided fictitious employment contracts and the necessary documentation to obtain work visas, while the other group was involved in transporting immigrants from Albania to Kosovo, then to Serbia and finally to European Union countries.
According to the investigation file, in just a six-month period, over 250 Bangladeshi citizens entered Albania through this mechanism. They declared themselves as employees in various tailoring or businesses, while in reality their ultimate goal was to leave for Western European countries.
At the center of the investigation was businessman Endri Seiti, whom SPAK considers one of the main organizers of the scheme. According to the prosecution, he used his acquaintances and businesses to secure fictitious work contracts for immigrants. Another organizer has been identified as Luan Tafalla, who, according to the investigation, received foreign citizens at Rinas Airport and took care of their accommodation.
The migrants were then transferred to the transport network run by Luan Sulaj, who, according to SPAK, organized their movement towards the border with Kosovo through a criminal group operating in the Kukës area.
During the investigation, SPAK also documented meetings between the individuals involved in the scheme. The wiretaps show that in September 2023, some of the defendants met in a restaurant to coordinate the group's activities, while some of them provided rental contracts and fictitious addresses to justify the emigrants' stay in Albania.
From the decision announced by the GJKKO, the highest sentences were given to Endri Seit and Luan Tafala, who were sentenced to 12 years in prison each, which due to the summary trial were reduced to 8 years. While most of the other members received sentences of 5 to 10 years in prison, later reduced by a third.
Four people, Edmond Braha, Artan Sulaj, Orkid Pijaneci and Ermal Hoxha, were declared innocent and their security measures were lifted.
The SPAK operation initially led to the arrest of 24 people and the announcement of two more wanted. Among the people involved in the case were also police officers, making the case one of the most important investigations in recent years in the field of migrant trafficking.
According to the prosecution, the group's activity had created a well-organized corridor for the entry and transit of illegal immigrants, using fictitious documents, private companies and transport networks to bypass border controls.
Sentences given by the Criminal Court:
-Endri Seiti and Luan Tafalla are sentenced to 12 years in prison, 8 years with a shortened trial.
-Endrit Ismailaj is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Arnold Shpata is sentenced to 10 years in prison, 6 years and 8 months with a shortened trial.
-Altin Hasani is sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison and is released from prison.
-Edmond Braha is declared innocent and released from prison. The measure of "prison arrest" is lifted.
-Xhuljeta Çopa is sentenced to 8 years in prison, 5 years and 4 months with a shortened trial.
-Artur Mata is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Artan Sulaj is declared innocent and released from prison.
-Luan Sulaj is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Emmanuel Delphin Assako is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Arba Hysenallari is sentenced to 6 years in prison, 4 years with a shortened trial.
-Shkëlzen Matmuja is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Faik Matmuja and Bukurosh Muja are sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Lulëzim Lami is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Tomë Preka is sentenced to 10 years in prison, 6 years and 8 months with a shortened trial.
-Xhuljo Krasniqi is sentenced to 5 years in prison, 3 years and 4 months with a summary trial.
-Iglan Allici is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Edmond Baklli is sentenced to 9 years in prison, 6 years with a shortened trial.
-Arjel Hoxha is sentenced to 5 years in prison.
-Orkid Pijaneci and Ermal Hoxha are declared innocent.
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