Jurgis Çyrbja, a former Socialist Party MP, was arrested shortly after resigning his parliamentary mandate. He is under investigation by SPAK (Special Anti-Corruption Structure) for abuse of office during his tenure as director of the Durrës Property Registry in 2016. The arrest was ordered by the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime due to his alleged involvement with a criminal group.

Why is it important: Çyrbja’s arrest, very shortly before the arrest of former President Meta, highlights SPAK’s ongoing efforts to crack down on high-profile politicians implicated in corruption and organized crime. 

Context: Çyrbja and another individual, Ahmet Masha—who has a criminal record—were detained in separate locations, while a third suspect remains at large. Çyrbja faces multiple charges under the Penal Code, including:

• Active corruption in elections (Article 328)
• Aiding criminal offenders (Article 302/1/2)
• Trading state secrets (Article 295/1)

The arrests took place in Durrës and Shijak, with law enforcement conducting additional home searches in Shijak.

Çyrbja, who served two terms as an MP starting in 2017, is being investigated for approving documents impacting ownership of 25,000 square meters of land in Rrashbull, Durrës during his tenure in 2016 as director of the Property Registry. This investigation began following a complaint filed by Democratic Party MP Edi Paloka.

New details: SPAK has revealed further findings from the investigation into Çyrbja. According to the prosecutors, Çyrbja used Sky ECC to inform internationally wanted individuals on how to evade law enforcement. The encrypted communication app is known to be popular among criminal groups.

Investigators uncovered conversations in which Çyrbja provided secret information to criminal associates, helping them avoid arrest. SPAK documented communications between Çyrbja and Altin Hajri, a wanted criminal from Shijak, where Çyrbja warned Hajri about upcoming police operations. Additional conversations on Sky ECC involve Ahmet Masha—also known as “Meçe,” who was recently arrested—exchanging messages with Çyrbja and Hajri.

In return for protection from arrest, Çyrbja allegedly sought electoral support from Hajri during the 2021 parliamentary elections. Running in the Durrës district, Çyrbja secured the third-highest number of votes, following Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Environment Minister Lefter Koka.

Çyrbja denies any misconduct, stating that the approval of documents at the Durrës Property Registry was handled by subordinates, not directly by him.