The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has sent an audio recording to the lab for analysis, which was submitted by relatives of one of the four victims killed during the January 21, 2011 protest. They claim it proves that the killings were ordered by the head of the Guard of the Republic.

Why is this important: The January 21 events have been awaiting clarification for 13 years. In July of this year, the investigations were reopened and have now been passed on to the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which is intensively working on the case.

Context: The audio tape, lasting 34 minutes, is crucial as it reportedly contains orders from Ndrea Prendi, the then-commander of the Guard, directing the use of live ammunition against protesters—contrary to the guard’s rules which required the use of blank rounds. This week, SPAK questioned Hysni Byrgaj and Agron Kulicaj, former high-ranking police officials, about the police’s role during the socialist opposition’s protest against the government. Kulicaj was previously accused by the prosecution of refusing to execute an order to arrest members of the guard suspected of firing the shots that killed the protesters.

What’s next: The tape is currently undergoing initial testing at SPAK’s lab to determine its authenticity, followed by a forensic voice comparison to ascertain the identities of the speakers. If SPAK’s facilities are inadequate, international labs may be called upon to assist. This recording is considered a new piece of evidence in the case, though it is still unknown who recorded the commands on this secret channel used by top officials of the Guard.

The list of expected witnesses includes former high-ranking state officials like ex-president Bamir Topi and former General Prosecutor Ina Rama, who were in charge at the time. Sali Berisha, then Prime Minister, has accused them and current Prime Minister Edi Rama of being part of a “constitutional coup.”

The January 21 protest was partly spurred by a video released at the time by Dritan Prifti, then Minister of Energy, showing Ilir Meta, then Deputy Prime Minister, asking Prifti to favor a businessman in exchange for a €700,000 bribe. This incident is also reflected in SPAK’s ongoing case against Ilir Meta, the former president arrested this week for various crimes including corruption and money laundering.