Weapons production and trafficking/ Tirana Prosecution sends 8 people to trial

2025-12-05 11:01:00, Aktualitet CNA

At the conclusion of the preliminary investigations of the criminal proceedings no. 1167/2024, 1167/1 and 1167/2 against the defendants T. Sh., G Ll., EM and AM, accused of the criminal offenses “Unauthorized production and possession of weapons and ammunition”, provided for by article 278/6 of the Criminal Code and citizens E.Th. MKBK and VO, for the criminal offense of “Trafficking in weapons and ammunition”, provided for by article 278/a/2 of the Criminal Code, the Prosecutor's Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction, Tirana sent 8 people to trial.

Three of them, Kosovar citizens E.Th., BK, and MK who, at the request of the prosecution, were found guilty and sentenced respectively:

– 8 years in prison for citizen BK for the criminal offense of 'Trafficking in weapons and ammunition', provided for by Article 278/a/2 of the Criminal Code;

– 6 years and 8 months in prison for citizen MK for committing the criminal offense of 'Trafficking in weapons and ammunition' provided for by Article 278/a/2 of the Criminal Code;

– 7 years in prison for citizen E.Th. for committing the criminal offense of 'Trafficking in weapons and ammunition' provided for by article 278/a/2 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, for the other five citizens, the case was sent to court for the criminal offenses of "Unauthorized production and possession of weapons and ammunition", provided for by Article 278/6 of the Criminal Code, while for citizen VO for the criminal offense of "Trafficking in weapons and ammunition", provided for by Article 278/a/2 of the Criminal Code.

The investigations into criminal proceedings no. 1167/1 of 2024, were initiated following reports that citizens BK and MK had purchased a significant quantity of 'Zoraki' pistol firearms with the aim of trafficking them to the territory of Albania. The investigations conducted by the joint investigation team between Albania and Kosovo, with the support of Eurojust, led to an international operation where 16 people were arrested and 64 firearms and ammunition were seized in both countries.

Investigative actions, accompanied by environmental wiretapping for the simulated purchase, confirmed that these citizens have committed the criminal offense for which they are accused./ CNA