SPAK reclassifies charges against former Minister Ilir Beqaj in sterilization concession case
The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has accepted the request of preliminary hearing judge Flojera Davidhi to reclassify charges against former Minister of Health Ilir Beqaj, former Deputy Minister Klodian Rjepaj, and businessman Ilir Rrapaj. The three, detained as suspects in the sterilization concession case, will now face charges of theft committed through abuse of office within a structured criminal group.
Why is this important: The decision marks a significant escalation in the case, as the charges now carry more severe penalties. Until now, Beqaj was accused solely of abuse of office, while his deputy faced charges of fraud, document forgery, and abuse of office. Businessman Ilir Rrapaj had been charged with fraud. The judge handling this case, previously gained attention when she accepted a request to lift house arrest for opposition leader Sali Berisha, whose own corruption case is set to begin soon. Berisha has credited his party for the new direction in the sterilization case, suggesting it influenced SPAK’s decision to strengthen the charges against the former Socialist minister.
Context: Defense lawyers have requested until January 9 to prepare their arguments against the reclassified charges. Initially, SPAK had filed the following charges:
- Former Minister Ilir Beqaj: Abuse of office in collaboration with Deputy Minister Klodian Rjepaj, punishable by up to seven years in prison.
- Klodian Rjepaj: Fraud in collaboration, with severe consequences; forgery of documents in collaboration; and abuse of office in collaboration. Combined, these charges carry potential sentences of up to 15 years.
- Ilir Rrapaj: Fraud in collaboration with severe consequences, carrying similar penalties.
After reclassification, the charges now include theft committed through abuse of office within a structured criminal group, significantly raising the potential sentences. If convicted, the three defendants could face up to 15 years in prison under Albania’s Penal Code..
Sterilization concession case: SPAK completed its investigation in March 2024, sending the case to trial. Former Minister Beqaj is accused of approving the €100 million, 10-year sterilization concession in violation of the law. The concession, awarded to businessman Ilir Rrapaj, is alleged to have involved significant legal breaches and abuse of office by those involved.
Prosecutors allege that Beqaj maintained a close personal relationship with Rrapaj, which influenced the concession process. SPAK also uncovered irregularities in contract execution, including inflated sterilization costs and failure to meet contractual conditions. These findings form the basis of the charges now being brought against the three accused.
What’s next: With the trial set to continue in January, SPAK’s decision to reclassify the charges underscores the seriousness of the allegations. This development not only raises the stakes for Beqaj, Rjepaj, and Rrapaj but also signals the justice system’s commitment to prosecuting high-level corruption and addressing systemic abuses in government contracts.
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