SPAK’s Elbasan arrests include suspected sniper in alleged assassination plot against Kosovo PM Albin Kurti

Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has issued 21 security measures in connection with a major investigation into a criminal organization with international ties. Among those arrested is suspected sniper, Prekë Kodra, previously suspected of being part of a plot to assassinate Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti. The arrest has reignited public interest in the alleged plot, which had surfaced in 2022 but lacked clarity on motives and sponsors.

Why is this important: Prekë Kodra’s name first appeared in leaked emails directed to former Albanian Police Chief Gledis Nano in September 2022. According to the emails, Kodra was implicated in a plan to destabilize the region by targeting Kurti and other prominent figures. However, no official explanation for the motives behind the plot was ever provided. The email described a planned sequence of assassinations, starting with Kosovo political figures Ismet Haxha and Xhavit Haliti, before culminating in Kurti’s assassination. The objective appeared to be to sow chaos in Kosovo and Albania. While the leaked details caused a stir at the time, the investigation lacked follow-up information, leaving the public with unanswered questions.

Context: Kodra’s arrest as part of the broader SPAK investigation has brought the alleged sniper plot back into focus. The operation targeted a criminal organization involved in a range of illicit activities, including narcotics trafficking and corruption within state institutions. While SPAK’s focus has primarily been on the criminal network, Kodra’s name has added a high-profile dimension to the investigation.

Kosovo’s security agencies had previously confirmed that Kurti was informed of the threat, and measures were taken to ensure his safety. However, no public statements have clarified why Kurti was allegedly targeted or who might have orchestrated the plan.

What’s next: The lack of information about the motives behind the alleged plot raises questions about the broader implications of Kodra’s arrest. Was the sniper plot part of a larger effort to disrupt regional stability, or was it linked to internal political rivalries?

The arrest also highlights the depth of SPAK’s investigation, which has implicated members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and now a figure linked to an assassination attempt. As the probe unfolds, further details may shed light on the connections between organized crime and high-profile political plots, adding to the shockwaves caused by these revelations.