Justice Reform/ Dumani: National decision to establish the moral foundations of the state

2025-11-24 13:38:00, Aktualitet CNA

Justice Reform/ Dumani: National decision to establish the moral foundations of

SPAK head Altin Dumani from Brussels, in a statement for the European Policy Center, spoke about justice reform and the evolution of SPAK.

Dumani stressed that when Albania launched its justice reform in 2016, many believed it was too ambitious, too divisive, perhaps even unrealistic, but Albania had reached a point where the previous system, caught up and compromised, could no longer serve its citizens.

SPAK leader Dumani said that the reform was not simply a legal exercise, it was a national decision to establish the moral foundations of the state.

The chief prosecutor said that the most dramatic step was the vetting of judges and prosecutors, an unprecedented process in Europe, where about 50% of magistrates were dismissed.

Among other things, the reform is not perfect and has not been completed, but it shows that systemic transformation is possible when society chooses integrity over cynicism and institutions are built for public service.

Dumani underlined that SPAK's mission remains the same, to work independently, deliver results and justify people's trust, standing shoulder to shoulder with European partners against threats that concern us all.

“Thank you, it is a privilege to speak at the European Policy Center on a topic that goes to the heart of democratic sustainability, lessons from Albania's justice reforms, and the evolution of SPAK as its flagship institution.

When Albania launched its justice reform in 2016, many believed it was too ambitious, too divisive, perhaps even unrealistic, but Albania had reached a point where the previous system, caught up and compromised, could no longer serve its citizens.

The reform was not simply a legal exercise, it was a national decision to establish the moral foundations of the state.

The most dramatic step was the vetting of judges and prosecutors, an unprecedented process in Europe, where about 50% of magistrates were dismissed.

SPAK was born from this new architecture, an institution built on vision and independence, specialized in tackling high-level corruption and organized crime.

Nine years later, some lessons are clear: first, independence does not happen by chance; it requires planning, discipline, and professionalism.

SPAK’s independence is not symbolic, it allows prosecutors and investigators to work without fear or interference. Second, independence must be accompanied by capabilities: building investigative capacity in financial crime, cyber analysis, encrypted communications and cryptocurrency tracking was essential. Third, trust is power: SPAK is the most trusted institution in Albania with support levels of around 70%.

Organized crime does not respect borders, and justice cannot be done only at the national level. Cooperation with international counterparts is essential and effectiveness requires trust. Today, SPAK has gained the trust of the international community and has become a valuable source of information and a generator of operational leads used by European and transatlantic partners. The results are tangible: 76 high-level officials investigated, about half convicted, dozens of criminal organizations dismantled and around 300 million euros seized or confiscated in five years.

The reform is not perfect and is not finished, but it shows that systemic transformation is possible when society chooses integrity over cynicism and institutions are built for public service. SPAK's mission remains the same: to work independently, deliver results and justify people's trust, standing shoulder to shoulder with European partners against threats that concern us all.

"To be successful in the fight against corruption and organized crime, there must be specialized institutions, independent prosecutors and investigators within and outside the hierarchy, and professionalism and integrity in their selection, as well as unconditional support from the international community," said Dumani./ CNA