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On September 25, the decision on the incinerators file/ The Chairperson of the GJKKO 'confesses' about the "hot" files

2023-09-13 09:35:00, Aktualitet CNA

DW: Mrs. President, the affair of incinerators and the sterilization of surgical instruments continue to be on the agenda in Albania. What can you say about these two hot files?

Irena Gjoka: There are two files of high public, political and media interest. In this context, for the incinerators file, high-level public officials have been investigated and tried with security measures, arrest and imprisonment: former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj, (in absentia), former Minister of Environment, Lefter Koka, former socialist deputy Alqi Blako, former socialist mayors, former prosecutors and judges. For the file in question, the investigation and judicial review have been completed and on September 25, the GJKKO trial body is expected to deliver the decision. As for the file of sterilization of surgical instruments, the investigations are continuing.

DW: The citizens of Albania have high expectations for the punishment of corruption of officials and former high public officials at high levels. With what results, GJKKO is showing that it takes these expectations into consideration and with its decisions is gaining the public's trust in justice?

Irena Gjoka: The judicial system has the main responsibility to provide justice to the society within the legal deadlines, which contributes to changing the public's perception and increasing its trust in the justice system. The investigations carried out by the prosecution, by the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) and subsequently the trial of the cases by GJKKO require their time, on average up to 3 years. We are talking about criminal offenses in the field of corruption and organized crime, where facts and evidence are essential. So far, during this year, GJKKO has made decisions on 6 criminal cases with 38 defendants related to the criminal offense of high-level corruption. This Court has found guilty and sentenced five of them.

DW: Are there closed cases related to the criminal offense of corruption, organized crime? If so, can they be reopened?

Irena Gjoka: The criminal procedural law has provided for the procedure for dismissing cases in cases where it is proven that the defendant did not commit the criminal offense and the criminal fact does not exist, as well as when the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution has passed. This law has also provided for the cases of revoking/changing the decision to dismiss a case, when new evidence or circumstances emerge. Meanwhile, we have cases where the requests of the prosecutors to dismiss the case have not been accepted by GJKKO to complete investigations and the prosecutors have been ordered by the court to file charges.

DW: What is happening with the judicial process against the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, related to his responsibilities in the tragic incident in Gërdec, which happened 15 years ago, where 26 people lost their lives from the explosion at the weapons dismantling factory and 300 others were injured? SPAK reopened the investigations, completed them and brought the file for trial to the GJKKO.

Irena Gjoka: This case is being tried by ordinary procedure, so not abbreviated. The judicial body of GJKKO is the guarantor of a regular legal process and given justice for all parties involved in the tragic event of Gërdec.

DW: The clearing of telephone communications through the Enco Chat and SKY platform by the French justice authorities is revealing serious criminal offenses in Albania, committed by individuals and organized criminal groups, it is revealing hitmen for murders ordered by people from the underworld. crime or individuals with economic power. their judgment?

Irena Gjoka: The court has given decisions on the measure of security, arrest and imprisonment, for a considerable number of people, taken as investigators. Currently, the criminal cases in charge of them are under investigation.

DW: Have you tried cases where criminal groups turn out to be connected to politics and state structures here?

Irena Gjoka: The connection of criminal groups with politics and state structures is not only an Albanian phenomenon, but a global one. Yes, there are cases where the investigations have revealed the connections of the groups in question with public officials and state structures. For such cases, GJKKO has given the relevant decisions, while other cases of this nature are under investigation.

DW: Do you have pressure from politics or the world of crime?

Irena Gjoka: The judicial body of GJKKO enjoys a special protection thanks to the criminal offenses it judges, in relation to the magistrates of general jurisdiction. In addition, this team is subject to the monitoring of telephone conversations, control of bank accounts and others, thus guaranteeing their professional and moral integrity./ DW