
Five people have been arrested while three others will be investigated at large as they are accused of promising to provide social housing against monetary sums in the city of Durrës.
Five of them had set up an illegal benefit scheme by presenting themselves as employees with management and decision-making functions in the provision of some social housing located in the area of Spitalla, Durrës against the benefit of the amount of 15,000 euros (fifteen thousand), which will used to block the apartment and give "coffees" to third parties.
While three others as persons who have given monetary sums, in order to benefit from social housing.
GJKKO has imposed a prison sentence on Gëzim Sylaj, Vasil Karasaliu, Viola Mema, Behare Luzi and Enxhi Çelaj. Gazmend Panxha, Shyqyri Dema and Sokol Sylaj are required to appear.
Citizens Gëzim Sylaj, Vasil Karasaliu, Viola Mema, Behare Luzi and Enxhi Çelaj were left in prison. While Gazmend Panxha, Shyqyri Dema and Sokol Sylaj have been left with mandatory attendance.
This case was registered on November 6, 2024, under criminal proceedings no. 11 of 2023, which was based on the information presented in the investigative show "Fiks Fare" on Top Channel television.
Cheat Scheme:
The scheme was set up by the five persons under investigation: GS, VK, VM, BL, E, Ç. who presented themselves as employees with management functions in the state administration (directors in the General Directorate).
Persons interested in social housing, apart from the advance payment, would submit to the investigators the documentation for the standard procedures for the benefit of the social housing. After that, interested persons would be sent a confirmation SMS from the Durra Municipality, during which, according to them, the announcement of the winners would be made, while the entrance to the apartment would be made after a few months.
From the totality of investigative actions, there are reasonable suspicions based on evidence that; the persons under investigation, in cooperation among themselves, in 4 different episodes have requested and received the irregular benefit of monetary amounts ranging from 5,000 (five thousand) to 10,000 (ten thousand) euros and as persons with public functions have exercised their illegal influence, to enable the benefit of a social housing in Durrës.
The investigators sent the interested subjects an SMS, through their mobile phone number:
"Hello, Mr./Ms.... We inform you that the first phase of the winner, for social housing... you have passed successfully. You will be notified about everything in the future - With respect from the municipality - DURRES".
For this criminal proceeding, SPAK requested the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime to assign personal security measures for the 8 (eight) persons under investigation; against 5 (five) of them, the measure of personal security "arrest in prison" according to article 238 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as persons who created the illegal profit scheme, while against 3 (three) others, the measure "obligation to submitted to the judicial police", according to Article 234 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as persons who have given monetary sums for the benefit of social housing, who have not filed a criminal report, and have not entered into an agreement with the judicial police for the illegal activity of giving monetary amounts.
The Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, with its decision No. 134 dated 17.11.2024 has decided to accept the requests of the prosecution, the appointment of the coercive measure of personal security "arrest in prison" provided by Article 238 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, for 5 (five) persons under investigation and the appointment of 3 ( three) personal security measures "obligation to appear before the judicial police", according to Article 234 of the Code of Procedure Criminal.
This decision was put into execution by the Special Prosecutor's Office, engaging the structures of the General Directorate of the State Police, and on 19.11.2024, it became possible to execute personal security measures for 6 (seven) of the persons under investigation GS, VK, BL, E. Ç., GP, and SS
Until these moments, it has not been possible to execute the personal security measures determined by the court against 2 (two) other persons under investigation VM, and Sh. D., who appear to have been abroad for some time, declared wanted.
The prosecution requested the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime to carry out some checks, requests which were approved by the court, and 8 (eight) court decisions were executed by the judicial police, as well as carried out checks (of apartments, vehicles, and persons).
After the controls, the following items were seized:
2 (two) BMW X6 vehicles, and Volkswagen Passat.
7 (seven) mobile phone sets.
1 (one) suspected weapon, a black sports pistol, with the inscription Col 9 mm AK and "Bloë Magnum", with a comb and 24 maneuver cartridges.
Various documents.
Investigations about this criminal proceeding continue with the administration of other evidence for the complete clarification of the circumstances of this event.
The Special Prosecutor's Office thanks the editors of the investigative show "Fiks Fare" on the national television "Top Channel" for the fruitful cooperation and sensitizing public opinion about this illegal scheme and invites citizens, journalists and the media to report in real time to the Special Prosecutor's Office In particular, any illegal action or corrupt act they may face.
Clarification: Every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.