Altin Dumani faces fiery parliamentary hearing as SPAK chief nears end of term
With just two months left in his mandate, SPAK chief Altin Dumani spent nearly two hours facing opposition MPs in Parliament, presenting the Special Prosecution’s 2024 activity report and answering more than 60 questions—most of them probing investigations into senior Socialist officials.
Why is this important: Under Dumani’s leadership, SPAK has launched and pursued high-profile investigations involving senior politicians and figures from organized crime, making his report one of the most closely watched sessions of the year. The hearing also marked the first time Dumani and opposition leader Sali Berisha, currently indicted for corruption, appeared in the same parliamentary hall. Berisha has accused Dumani of leading what he calls “a political justice campaign” and frequently labels him “the head of organized crime.”
Context: Dumani confirmed that investigations into the incinerator scandal are ongoing, including inquiries involving former Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj, who is currently in custody over another corruption case.
“We have investigated 71 people so far across the three incinerator cases,” Dumani said, noting that preliminary inquiries on Veliaj “are not yet complete.”
He added that SPAK continues to assess statements made by former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj, who remains abroad, and invited him to cooperate with justice authorities. Dumani declined to comment on alleged ongoing investigations concerning Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, while denying that SPAK prosecutors had received threats related to their duties.
Reactions: Following the session, Berisha launched a barrage of accusations outside the chamber, alleging that Dumani “acts as the Rama family’s lawyer” and “has struck secret deals worth millions”—claims for which he provided no evidence.
Socialist parliamentary leader Taulant Balla defended Dumani and said the session demonstrated “the stark difference between the governing majority, which respects institutions, and an opposition that uses Parliament to attack them.”
What else: Earlier, Prosecutor General Olsian Çela also reported to Parliament, highlighting investigations into election-related crimes, including the misuse of public funds and state resources during campaigns. The parliamentary justice oversight will continue later this week with hearings from the High Prosecutorial Council and High Judicial Council.
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