Special Appeals Court orders retrial in Fier Incinerator case
The Special Appeals Court for Organized Crime and Corruption in Albania overturned the convictions of former Environment Minister Lefter Koka, former Socialist MP Alqi Bllako, and 10 others on Thursday in the high-profile Fier Incinerator corruption case. The court’s decision sends the case back to the First Instance Court for retrial with a new judicial panel.
Why is this important: The unexpected decision resets all proceedings in a case that has become symbolic of alleged corruption and misuse of public funds in Albania. Millions of euros were reportedly paid for works that were never completed. The fact that the Court took the decision based on procedural issues, also raises questions about the performance of SPAK prosecutors.
Context: The decision came after the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) appealed the initial sentences handed down in September 2023. SPAK contested the leniency of some convictions and the acquittals of other defendants, while several of the accused sought full exoneration.
Key figures involved in the case include:
Lefter Koka, former Minister of Environment, who was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for his role in the scheme.
Alqi Bllako, former Secretary General of the Environment Ministry, who was acquitted of some charges but sentenced to two years and eight months for abuse of office.
Klodian Zoto, a businessman overseeing incinerator projects in Elbasan, Fier, and Tirana, received an eight-year sentence for passive corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
Arben Dervishaj, an architect, was acquitted of forgery and passive corruption despite SPAK’s request for a seven-year sentence.
Allegations and SPAK findings: The case revolves around millions of euros allegedly paid for construction and services related to the Fier Incinerator, much of which were reportedly for work that was never carried out. SPAK closed its investigation in December 2022, revealing what it described as fraudulent schemes and significant misuse of public funds.
Next steps: With the case now set for retrial, the First Instance Court will revisit the evidence under a new judicial panel. The retrial poses additional challenges for SPAK, which must rebuild its case to meet the burden of proof while addressing issues raised in the appeal. The decision to annul previous rulings has reignited public discourse about the effectiveness of the judiciary in handling high-profile corruption cases and ensuring accountability.