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The scandal of the Ipard/ AZHBR funds requires dozens of businesses to return the money

2023-09-06 09:20:00, Aktualitet CNA

The scandal of the Ipard/ AZHBR funds requires dozens of businesses to return

Caught in the great scandal of abuses of IPARD funds by OLAF investigators, the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development has been forced to massively demand the return of money from businesses. Oligarkia.al has learned that in recent weeks AZHBR has sent letters to dozens of businesses that have received grants, asking them to return the money.

A few weeks ago, the Amfora portal published an official information, according to which, until the end of May, AZHBR had requested the return of the money received from the grants to about 10 entities, among which the Coast to Coast company of the businessman Florenc Gjikuria as well as Kavaljon owned by the former mayor of Kavaja, Elvis Rroshi.

But in recent months the list of businesses that have been asked to return money for abuse or breach of contract has grown significantly. But another conflict is already brewing.

Some of the businesses have paid real estate agents or directly to AZHBR officials in order to benefit from the grants. Now that AZHBR is asking them to return the money, businesses are doing the same with the realtors and officials who have paid.

A mess of corruption and illegality, which can now even lead to physical conflicts, since usually those who take bribes operate with the motto "the money taken is never returned."

Attempt to save the head

Embarrassed by the scandal, which led to the EU's unprecedented decision to suspend IPARD funds, government officials and AZHBR leaders are already trying to escape from criminal responsibilities, but also to fix the ruined image a little by demanding the return of money.

The institution that has managed tens of millions of euros in grants, but also the Albanian government, have been officially branded as corrupt by the European Union. The EU's anti-fraud office, known as OLAF, has long reported the massive abuses uncovered by its investigation to prosecutors.

But for more than two years, the Albanian prosecutor's office has dragged out the investigations by not holding any responsible official before the law. However, the prosecution's efforts to suppress the affair or its reluctance to investigate to the end, have not been able to save the government from the repercussions of the scandal.

The Greek factor

Within the structures of the European Union, the issue of abuses of IPARD funds by the Albanian government is being kept at the center of the agenda, especially by Greece. After the clashes between Tirana and official Athens for the arrest of Fredi Beleri, the Greek government is seeking as a priority the clarification of the grants scandal until the end and the placement of the Albanian government in front of the responsibilities.

Meanwhile, another front where Athens is "retaliating" is the scandal of the theft of coastal properties. Two days ago, Prime Minister Edi Rama was forced to dismiss the Minister of Agriculture, Frida Krifca, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhaçka, from the cabinet.

The first one is seen as directly responsible for the scandal with the EU funds for agriculture during the time when she was leading the AZHBR, while Xhaçka is accused of being involved in the scandal of the alienation of properties on the coast, being reported a few days ago to SPAK by Fredi Beleri for the land on which her husband is building the hotel in Himare.

Oligarchy.al