SPAK has completed its investigations and is seeking the trial of the socialist mayor of Vau i Dejës, Kristian Shkreli, for "Active corruption in elections", after he made investments during the electoral campaign in exchange for residents' votes in favor of his preferred political entity, Tom Doshi's PSD.
The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, announced on Friday, October 24, the conclusion of the investigation against the socialist mayor of Vau i Dejës Municipality, Kristian Shkreli, for promises and investments made during the electoral campaign for the May 11 elections, in exchange for the votes of residents in favor of the Social Democratic Party of Albania, a political force led by Tom Doshi, who is part of the US State Department's blacklist for involvement in corruption.
The case against Shkreli has been forwarded to the respective court, where the draw was held on Friday. Judge Flora Hajredinaj has been assigned to review SPAK's request for Shkreli's trial in the preliminary hearing. He is accused of the criminal offense of "Active corruption in elections."
According to SPAK, the investigations have revealed that the defendant Kristian Shkreli, in his capacity as Mayor of Vau i Dejës, was involved in illegal activities in the elections held on May 11, 2025, for the Albanian Parliament.
"During the election campaign, Kristian Shkreli promised and offered material goods to voters of the village of Stajkë, in the Municipality of Vau Dejës, in exchange for voting in a certain way, in support of the political entity Social Democratic Party of Albania," the announcement states.
It is also highlighted that during the investigation, it was evidenced that the defendant Shkreli was active in the election campaign, in support of the Social Democratic Party of Albania, exploiting the needs of the residents of the village of Stajkë for the construction of the electricity network infrastructure. The announcement states that this investment was made during the electoral campaign period, while the socialist mayor asked the residents to vote for his preferred political entity, Tom Doshi's PSD.
Kristian Shkreli won the elections for the position of mayor of Vau i Dejës in May 2023, under the banner of the Socialist Party.
In a meeting during the electoral campaign in early May, Prime Minister Edi Rama drew Shkreli's attention, telling him not to play with two goals . / BIRN