Ajola Xoxa's Tentacles

In the nearly 400-page decision of Judge Erjon Bani, facts and evidence are presented showing all the institutions that have blessed Ajola Xoxa's companies with funds. One of these institutions is the Ministry of Culture, which was headed by Elva Margariti.

The file shows that public funds in favor of NGOs are actually controlled by citizen Ajola Xoxa, they have not only been distributed by the Municipality of Tirana, but also other public institutions such as the Ministry of Culture as well as the Ministry of Tourism, which has been headed by Mirela Kumbaro since 2021.

This is useful for better understanding the mechanism of money transfer from Public Institutions to NGOs, from them to LLCs and individuals, all controlled, but also closely linked to citizen Ajola Xoxa and the Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj.

Ministry of Culture's connections with Ajola Xoxa's NGO

Specifically, with the decision dated 23.12.2024 of the prosecutor, "On Examination/Receipt of Documents", acts related to:

1) The "International Contemporary Dance Festival Tirana 2022" project, which includes concluded contracts, transactions, payments and invoices.

2) The "International Contemporary Dance Festival Tirana 2023" project, which includes concluded contracts, transactions, payments and invoices.

3) Contracts concluded between the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation and the company "Rametal" sh.pk, which include transactions, payments and invoices.

From the review of the documentation administered in the criminal file, it resulted that by means of minutes No. 6446/5 dated 11.02.2022, the Directorate of Conception and Feasibility of Cultural Projects, documented the review of the submitted projects.

Among them, in the entity with number 44 in the ranking, the Entity "HARABEL - CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART" is found, for the project "Digitization of contemporary art in Albania", in the amount of 1,000,000 lek.

Subsequently, on 14.06.2022, the Contract for Financial Support with Public Funds, No. 3260 Prot., dated 14.06.2022, was signed with the Ministry of Culture, represented by Arian AVRAZI, Director of the Directorate for Conception and Feasibility of Cultural Projects, according to the Order of the Minister of Culture no. 93 prot., dated 21.02.2022, and Driant ZENELI, in the capacity of representative of the "HARABEL" Center.

This contract specifies the financing value at 1,000,000 lek, which includes VAT, bank commissions and all fiscal obligations or other obligations recognized by Albanian legislation. The bank account data of the individual beneficiary shows that it is "HARABEL".

"The review has shown that for this case, Expenditure Order No. 468 dated 17.06.2022 of the Ministry of Culture was signed with the following date: Beneficiary Creditor: Harabel Center. Object of expenditure: Project: Digitization of contemporary art in Albania, 60% according to the contract. Amount in lek: 600,000. Attached is Electronic Invoice No. 6/2022 dated 15.06.2022, With Seller: Harabel Center and Buyer: Ministry of Culture. Value: 600,000.00 lek. 76. On 15.09.2022, Balkan Youth Link Albania (BYL-A) in cooperation with D18 Paris addresses the Ministry of Culture for the development of the dance festival KRE "International Contemporary Dance Festival in Tirana".

On 31.10.2022, the Contract for Financial Support with Public Funds, No. 5801/6 Prot, dated 31.10.2022, was signed with the Ministry of Culture, represented by Arian AVRAZI, Director of the Directorate of Conception and Feasibility of Cultural Projects, and "Balkan Youth Link Albania" with Ina Goxhaj, representative of the Center Executive Director, in the capacity of project manager," the investigative file states.

This contract explains the value of the financing in the amount of 3,100,000 lek, which includes VAT, bank commissions and all fiscal obligations or other obligations recognized by Albanian legislation. The payment will be made in 2 phases.

COMMUNICATIONS AND DETAILS
On page 1035 of the communications, it appears that Adela informs Ketrin that the Ministry of Culture's money has been transferred to BYL-A and tells her to close the payments the next day.

The delivery of lek to citizen Ajola Xoxa by the NGO in question is proven by the communications that occurred on page 1050.

Citizen Adela Kondakçiu says: "Hey, Alisa didn't answer you about those points. I'll hand over what's left to Ajola tomorrow." In fact, Alisa's answer is not long in coming regarding the payment of the points.

On page 1063-1064, while Ketrina tells her that she is interested in the points, Adela replies that she is late and adds: "I handed it over to Ajola (the money)." On page 1065, Ketrina asks if she could take it from Xhoi (Skënderas), but Adela tells her that she does not have it. Adela adds that she should talk to Ajola if she has it.

From these communications, it is proven how public funds, allocated in this case by the Ministry of Culture, initially passed to two Non-Profit Organizations under the de facto control of citizen Ajola Xoxa.

Subsequently, the funds were transferred from these organizations to citizen Ajola Xoxa, "Arts Lab" sh.pk, legally owned by citizen Ajola Xoxa's uncle (Erald Simixhiu), but actually owned by the latter, to citizen Valmir Xoxa, a close cousin of citizen Ajola Xoxa, and citizen Ergys Krisiko, a close acquaintance of citizen Ajola Xoxa.

Ministry of Tourism
The complete control of citizen Ajola Xoxa in every direction related to the functioning of the NGOs in question, starting from the moment of applying for projects in state institutions, also results from the communications on page 1076.

Ketrina Braho tells Adela: I received a notification from Ajola to apply to the Ministry of Tourism. Adela replies, "Oh my god," adding that Linda (Kazani) is also applying. This time, Adela tells Ketrina that they will take care of it themselves, because they are terrible.

According to the data in the court decision, it results that Ajola Xoxa's "Harabel" company, financed by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, and fully controlled by Ajola Xoxa, makes payments in favor of "Ava Studio" shpk, legally owned by her mother.

COMMUNICATIONS AND DETAILS FOR THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

On page 1769 of the communications, Adela Kondakçiu informs Ketrina Brahon that the money was transferred from both the Municipality of Tirana and the Ministry of Tourism.

On page 997, Ketrina is informed by Adela that the Ministry of Tourism's money had been spent, adding that: at least 1 was closed. She also asks her to make the changes to the KRK letterhead that had been made incorrectly the next day, so that the file could be submitted on Friday.

On page 1211, a communication begins related to the project they are doing with the Ministry of Tourism.

Adela asks when the project will end, but Ketrina tells her that it hasn't even started yet. Regarding this project, Ketrina says that they need to determine with Ajola who will be the people and companies that will receive the payments at that moment.

This page also contains a screenshot of a message exchanged between Ketrina Brahos and a person registered on the phone as 'Enkeleda Ministry of Tourism'.

Ketrina asks a question about the reports of payments of people who are in the budget. Ketrina continues by telling her if they could be staff people and they declare them as part of the salary.

The person who appears to work at the Ministry of Tourism replies: I will ask and tell. Then, the same person says: Yes, they can be, but you must bring a signed and stamped receipt.

Regarding the voices, Adela tells Ketrin that they will be for the curator and production manager. So, it is clear that both the placement of the voices and the people who are supposed to perform the services, who are chosen by the "Harabel" staff, are fictitious.

How is Mirela Kumbaro "connected" with the executive director of Ajola Xoxa's Harabel, Driant Zenelin?

In 2018, when Mirela Kumbaro headed the Ministry of Culture, she expressed her belief in representing Albania at the 2019 Art Biennial with the project of Driant Zeneli, who was the director of one of Ajola Xoxa's companies.

"Convinced of the dignified representation of Albania at the 2019 Art Biennial, with Driant Zeneli's project"

As commissioner of the Albanian pavilion, we entrusted the art project, which will represent Albania at the world's largest art event, to the artist Driant ZENELI, with the project titled

"Maybe the cosmos is not so extraordinary."

The title is inspired by the science fiction novel by Albanian author Arion Hysenbegas, "Towards Epsilon Eridanit", published in 1983 (reprinted in full in 2018).

Drianti, who successfully directed the Mediterranean Biennial of Young Artists in Tirana last year, is teaming up with curator Alicia KNOCK, curator at the Center for Contemporary Art in Paris "Georges Pompidou", in the Department of Contemporary Art, in Paris, created and directed by Christine MACEL.

After five very successful editions,

following the pavilions created by artists like Edi Hila and Adrian Paci, Armando Lulaj, Leonard Qylafi, but also by architects like Simon Battisti, or the energetic team of architects of the #TiranaZeroSpace pavilion that continues to be open,

Albania is committed to sharing its best part: Art and Culture with the international public and critics.

"I wish Drianti all the best in this new joint challenge at La Biennale di Venezia," wrote Mirela Kumbaro.

So, Minister Kumbaro's connection with the people who worked in Ajola Xoxa's companies is clear, in this case Driant Zeneli, who turns out to be the director of Harabel. /CNA

Ajola Xoxa

CNA has revealed another detail from the investigation file for Erion Veliaj and Ajola Xoxa. The decision revealed by the court reveals that the Municipality of Fier has also provided funds for Ajola Xoxa for legal consultancy. 

Ines Dani, registered as a natural person who should have exercised her activity independently, but according to communications, it turns out that she is totally financially dependent on citizen Ajola Xoxa, was also "used" in the signing of a contract between the Municipality of Fier and Ajola Xoxa's company.

The Municipality of Fier has signed a contract with Ines Dani, but according to the latter, in the communications reflected in the court decision, it turns out that she has no idea what the contract is, but states that she left the house while she was on maternity leave and only signed it. There she clearly states that she does not know any details.

The service of citizen Ines Dani to the Municipality of Fier consisted of legal consultancy for an external expertise in the proposal of legislation. So Ines Dani undertakes to provide legal expertise for amendments or drafting of laws. The payment agreed between the parties is 24,650 euros. This contract is on 19.12.2019.

The communications clearly show that Ines Dani has no knowledge of the contract and is certainly not the beneficiary of this money, but the ultimate beneficiary of these amounts is Ajola Xoxa herself, and this is proven in the following communications. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND DETAILS 

At this point, state official Adela Kondakçiu calls to the stage the one who appears to be the initiator and the person who actually secured the contract with the Fier Municipality.

Adela Kondakçiu says: SHOULD I TRY AJOLE ONCE AGAIN?

Ines Dani naturally answers: YES. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO.

So, the natural person who should benefit from the considerable money from the Fier Municipality, shows no interest in this matter, clearly stating that she has already signed and that she needs to talk to Ajola since she has nothing to do with it.

Even when Adela Kondakçiu asks her about the final value, whether it is 24,650 euros (page 171), Ines Dani answers: YES, I BELIEVE.

Adela , on the same page, continues by asking. You haven't signed a contract?

While Ines Dani answers: I know I signed it a few months ago, or more precisely 1 year ago. I WAS ON MAternity Leave WHEN I SIGNED IT QUICKLY AND QUICKLY AFTER HOME.

When Adela asks if they have copies, Ines Dani answers on page 173: NO, I DON'T.

From all the communication but also from what will follow, it is clearly proven that the public funds that will be given (as they later turn out to have been given) by the Municipality of Fier, in the form of legal consultancy services, were secured through the influence exerted by the citizen Ajola Xoxa on the authorities of the Municipality of Fier, and the latter is their ultimate beneficiary, as will be proven below.

Returning to the movements in the account of the individual Ines Dani, the latter tells Adela Kondakçiu, practically giving her an account: I withdrew 40,000 new roubles from the account. I had that much in my account.

On 04.05.2021, Adela tells Ines Dani: Yes, we need to get a statement for the Fier payment if it has passed. Agron said that it would be closed in April.

On 06.05.2021, it appears that Ines Dani applied for suspension of her activity as a natural person, but I do not know if it was approved. In fact, it was not approved because, according to Adela's notification, she has unpaid tax liabilities.

On 15.06.2021, Adela informs Ines Dani that the payment from the Municipality of Fier had gone through the day before. At this point, the conversation gets interesting.

Adela asks Ines Dani: Have you agreed on how the funds will be withdrawn or should I discuss it?

It is clearly understood that the withdrawal of these funds, which are supposed to belong to the natural person Ines Dani, so essentially to the citizen Ines Dani, must be discussed in advance with other people. Adela says that she could discuss it too.

In this case, as in other cases, it is clear that the only person with whom he could discuss such a thing, for such sums, is citizen Ajola Xoxa.

Ines Dani, regarding the funds that were supposedly hers due to the service provided in the contract, says: DISCUSS. Adela replies: OK.

It was during this period that Adela sent Ines Dani a simple tax invoice which appeared to have been fictitiously issued about two weeks before the funds were transferred from the Fier Municipality.

Such a conclusion is reached by looking at the form of the invoice, which can be issued at any time in 2021 but declared within the year, due to the lack of a real-time online system.

Also, in chronological order of the communications administered, the invoice was sent to citizen Ines Dani after the transfer of funds from the Municipality of Fier and not before.

Simply put, the invoice was issued in advance to avoid suspicion that immediately upon transferring funds from the Municipality of Fier in favor of Ines Dani, the latter requested services that would be paid in favor of the individual Greta Domi.

On the other hand, the description of the invoice is another element of interest for the investigation.

In this case, a natural person like Greta Domi, in the field of advocacy, provides legal consultancy services to another natural person in the same field, citizen Ines Dani, who "happened" to have benefited from a considerable amount from the Municipality of Fier in the same period of time.

The invoice in question bears the number 6 and was issued for legal consultancy for the amount of 1,234,000 lek.

After Adela sends him the invoice, he says: Grete's invoice (page 204).

Ines Dani responds: Ok. Ines Dani's ambiguity in the division of money is also shown on page 221 of the communications, while Adela tells her that she has a tax credit balance of 46,703 lek, meaning that the state must give Ines lek.

In this regard, Ines Dani asks: Are they mine or yours?

This clearly shows the involvement of the Municipality of Fier, which has provided funds to Ajola Xoxa's companies for legal consultancy. Ajola Xoxa uses Ines Dani to inject money./ CNA

Ajola Xoxa

Another scandal has emerged from the SPAK investigation file, revealed in the court decision by Judge Erjon Bani.

This time it's about how Ajola Xoxa's wife used her employees in the money "injection" scheme.

The case we will present today concerns citizen Ines Dani, a lawyer, who was a natural person whose offices were in Ajola Xoxa's company.

As a natural person, Ines Dani should not expect her invoices to be made by someone else, but should generate income through her own activity.

But according to the communications revealed in this decision, Ines Dani is simply Ajola Xoxa's "machete" to inject money.

COMMUNICATIONS AND DETAILS

Ines Dani asks Adela on 20.05.2019 : I definitely need an invoice. Because I'm so bad with declaring my income. I have a lot of expenses and no income. I have credit, credit cards and of course I eat in the meantime. I can't justify it. PLEASE TELL AJOLA. I'll tell her too, but maybe you have contact sooner for such things.

Adela Kondakçiu : Ok, I'll talk to you when I meet with him. Because, as far as I know, you don't have any bills to pay.

Ines Dani: I don't know what to say. I'm in a difficult situation. I FEEL LIKE THEY'RE HIDDENING INCOME...when I have this income. I'm very worried. Above all, it puts my husband, who is in a government job, at risk.

Adela Kondakçiu: To be honest, I have an idea. You should have discussed this before the opening of NIPT. However, if necessary, maybe we can find a solution. I'll talk to Ajola.

Ines Dani: Yes, but it was thought that I would be billed more. So, I would have income. No. I opened a NIPT and no billing. This is a joke. We have talked together about what the average turnover and income would be. 5 months have passed and nothing. How many times do we need to talk??? OF COURSE THIS IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM. I AM TALKING ABOUT THE OFFICE.

Adela Kondakçiu: We have talked together about minimum and maximum turnover. Not about billing values ??as far as I remember. Anyway, I talked to Ajola because she sets the billing.

Ines Dani: We talked about how much my NIPT might cost. I asked you about this because I was interested in knowing what would happen to my expenses.

Adela Kondakçiu: Yes, then. How much can the limit go. ACCORDING TO THE INTEREST OF THE OFFICE. Ines Dani replies: Ok, but please as soon as possible. They are starting to ask me for expenses, then hang on. BUT HOW MUCH IS REALLY BILLED IS DETERMINED BY SOMEONE ELSE.

Ines Dani: Yes, that's right. But not Zero. I have ZERO at all. Do you understand? NO ONE TOLD ME THAT ZERO WOULD GROW FROM SEED. Adela Kondakçiu: WE WILL DISCUSS IT WITH AJOLE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT MY DECISION.

Ines Dani: I will talk about it too. But please speak up too. Understand me. I KNOW WHO DECIDES. But as the office's financier, I am also asking you to talk about this situation.

Adela Kondakçiu: I'll talk to him as soon as I have the chance.

On page 112, the production of invoices in the name of citizen Ines Dani is again evidenced, for services that were not performed by the latter, and of which it seems clear that she has no knowledge. Not only that, the commercial entities that request the service, that is, those who pay the money, in this case result to be closely linked by financial interests to the Municipality of Tirana.

Specifically, on page 112, citizen Adela Kondakçiu informs citizen Ines Dani : I have made another invoice from you today.

So, Ines Dani has no idea about the service she provided, the entity to which she provided it, and of course about the invoice that was issued. This is because the first person to mention this invoice and notify her of its issuance is Adela Kondakçiu, without at any time asking this from the citizen Ines Dani.

Next, on page 113, Adela sends Ines Dani a sales tax invoice with a photo.

Specifically, it concerns invoice no. 15 dated 26.11.2020, issued by the natural person Ines Dani, in the capacity of the seller of the service, for the commercial entity "FUSHA" shpk, in the capacity of the buyer of the service.

The invoice shows that Ines Dani invoiced "FUSHA" shpk for legal consultancy services in the amount of 9,000 euros + VAT, a total of 10,800 euros, which at the current exchange rate of 1 curo-123 lek, is calculated at a value of around 1,328,400 lek (including VAT).

After reviewing the bill, Ines Dani simply says to Adela: ok .

But at this point, always on page 113, Ines Dani remembers to ask for something that is of great interest to the investigation, as long as she proves the transfer of money for fictitious invoices from commercial entities linked to the Tirana municipality to her account as a natural person, and while on the other hand, she shows the mechanism of passing these illegal benefits through bank accounts until the complete closure of the cycle of the destination of the money, highlighting quite clearly in whose favor they end up.

Specifically, Ines Dani, after reviewing the bill, says to Adela: " Make us a table of the incoming and outgoing payments from my account, so I know how much is mine and how much is not." 

Adela Kondakçiu replies: Yes, I will. Ines, this was the situation until the end of October with the withdrawals, if you withdrew in November, it must be deducted from the remaining value, i.e. this value of 357,219 lekë.

From the table sent to citizen Ines Dani, it results that the total in the account of citizen Ines Dani is 965,149 lekë, which consists of the existing balance of the account, Ines's salaries (May-November) (while she is a natural person).

The withdrawals made by Inesi, in the months of June-October, according to the table, are 607,930 lekë and the remaining amount to be withdrawn is 357,219 lekë.

To clarify the uncertainties of the proceeding body regarding this table, and essentially to answer the question of how much citizen Ines Dani actually benefits from her work as a licensed lawyer as a natural person, this citizen herself has thought about this in the communications on page 117.

After learning about the table, Ines Dani asks Adela Kondakçiu : Are 357 mine?

Adela Kondakçiu answers: Yes.

But, citizen Ines Dani, after clarifying how much money was hers and how much was not, turns to Adela, saying: ADELA, I WILL ALSO TALK TO AJOLE, BUT FIRST, IF YOU NEED TO WITHDRAW MONEY FROM MY PF (INDIVIDUAL PERSON) ACCOUNT, TELL ME IN ADVANCE SO I CAN GIVE IT TO YOU AND DO NOT WITHDRAW IT FROM THE ACCOUNT. (CONFIDENTIAL THIS).

So, first of all, it is clear that in the account of the natural person Ines Dani, it is not only its holder who has access, but also Ajola Xoxa. Not only that, but this communication proves the fact that the income generated de jure by the natural person Ines Dani, in one way or another, in this specific case through withdrawals from the account, is received by the citizen Ajola Xoxa.

Regarding this request, Adela Kondakçiu tells Ines Dani that this time the payment, as Ajola had told her, would be made differently.

Specifically: On page 134, in response to Ines Dani's request not to make a withdrawal from her account as a natural person, Adela Kondakçiu says: AJOLA TOLD ME THE PAYMENT WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO HARABEL IN FACT. What was said in this communication is proven by the bank records recorded in the account statement of the NGO "Harabel".

So, in this specific case, according to Ajola Xoxa's instructions, the money will not be taken directly from the account of the individual Ines Dani, in the form of CASH, but will be transferred by bank transfer to an NGO fully controlled by the citizen Ajola Xoxa. This has actually happened and is the same mechanism used by the other individual who practices law in the offices of "Partners Lae", the citizen Greta Domi.

Ines Dani has only one answer: Ok

Adela Kondakçiu continues the discussion regarding Ajola's idea, telling Ines Dani: INES WE CAN SPEND 4,000 EUROS PLUS VAT TO SHRINK THIS YEAR AND THE OTHER PART NEXT YEAR.

In other words, the amount of money that in this specific case is transferred from "FUSHA shpk" to the individual Ines Dani, for legal consultancy services, by order of Ajola Xoxe is then partially transferred to the organization "Harabel".

In conclusion, the proceeding body has concluded that the mechanism mentioned in the communications made between financier Adela Kondakçiu and lawyer Ines Dani, registered as a natural person, for the withdrawal of cash and transfers to Ajola Xoxa's NGOs controlled by Ajola herself, made by entities that have benefited from the Municipality of Tirana, proves the path followed for the laundering and injection into the banking system of illegal benefits secured by the wife of Mayor Erion Veliaj, Ajola Xoxa./ CNA

CNA has published another scandal from the SPAK investigative file revealed by the court, which shows how millions of lek have passed from TKOB (National Opera and Ballet Theater) to Elman Abule and from the latter to Ajola Xoxa's NGO.

The messages from two financiers, Elman Abule and Ajola Xoxa, reveal the entire scheme.

Elman Abules' economist sends Adela Kondakçiu some photos that seem to be related in their content to two rental contracts concluded between "Rametal" sh.pk and TKOB. Specifically, according to one contract, "Rametal" sh.pk undertakes to rent, that is, to benefit from income from TKOB through the rental in this case, a series of items specified in the annex, for the ballet "Preljocaj".

Likewise, in the other contract, "Rametal" sh.pk rents a series of stage items to TKOB, this time for the "Sonoma" event, mentioned above when we talked about the funding received by "BYL-A" from the Municipality of Tirana and the KRK.

The rental amounts for the case of the ballet "Preljocaj" are 1,213,380 lek and for "Sonoma" 1,868,220 lek. It has been agreed that these amounts will be transferred to the bank account of "Rametal" sh.pk represented by citizen Elman Abule, who has also signed the contracts, with the respective bank transfer.

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN FINANCIALISTS

At this moment, Adela Kondakçiu , on page 52, tells her interlocutor: "I will talk to the boss about the reconciliation part."

The economist replies: "No worries. We'll solve this."

Until now, although it is clear that "Rametal" sh.pk indirectly finances artistic events organized by the NGO of citizen Ajola Xoxa, according to the proceeding body, it is not understood why these rental contracts are the subject of discussion between the two financiers.

Then, something begins to be understood about this, when Adela Kondakçiu on page 55 asks the economist to know how much is the difference to be billed by them (understood to be from the NGO organizing the event).

The economist replies: "8326.25 (euro) is the payment we made to La Veronal." Adela tells her that according to her accounts, she owes a total of 2,016,000 lek including VAT and asks for confirmation of this.

After taking her time, the economist answers on page 57 that: "The total of the TOB invoice is 36,436 euros, from which 8,326 euros in payment for La Veronal and 6,072 euros in VAT must be deducted. In the end, the value is 22,037 euros."

Adela responds on page 5859 that she does not have the total values, but there is a confirmation from Keti (Ketrina Braho-"Harabel") only the value of 28,800 euros, which should be covered by "Rametal" sh.pk

Interesting at this point is the fact that this value that must be covered by "Rametal" sh.pk, that is, it must be invoiced by one of Ajola Xoxa's NGOs or companies, is more or less the value of the invoices issued by "Rametal" for TOB.

On page 59 of the communications, the economist sends two invoices produced by "Rametal" sh.pk for the Opera Theater, for the amount of 1,456,056 lek and 2,241,864 lek.

On page 61, Adela Kondakçiu tells him that, so that "Rametal" also does not pay VAT, invoices should not be made now in December.

The economist answers on page 62: "Better for us with VAT."

Next, Adela Kondakçiu asks on page 63: "What about the descriptions on the invoices, how do you want us to do it?"

The economist replies: "Is there any space for you to make us the invoices from 'Harabel'?"

Adela responds on page 63: "If we do it from the sparrow's daughter, we will make it a sponsorship. It is actually VAT-free" (page 64).

So, from these communications it is at least clear that the invoices issued by the NGO of citizen Ajola Xoxa are fictitious in the services they are supposed to have provided. In this case, “Rametal” sh.pk is requested that an NGO issue an invoice for a sh.pk like “Rametal” sh.pk, but this seems objectively impossible, since a non-profit organization can only benefit from sponsorships from other private entities. Even more clearly emerges the intention of the interlocutors to produce invoices, which do not really reflect the requested and provided service, but serve only to transfer the amount of money to the bank account of “Partners law”.

Specifically, on page 64, the economist responds to Adela Kondakçiu: "Look, if you have work to do, we'll do it after the holidays. Otherwise, do it from PARTNERS. WHAT CAN I SAY? I don't know either right now."

Adela continues by asking: "What if we get a rental invoice for equipment from a limited liability company? Not Partners, that is."

From this it is also clear that the invoices that will be issued in the name of "Rametal" sh.pk, by NGOs controlled by citizen Ajola Xoxa, are completely fictitious.

The economist replies: "Yes, it's fine."

He then remembers and adds: "It's dawning on me that we also have to do the contract we made for Preljocaj with this company that will invoice us. Because then they won't be connected."

Adela Kondakçiu tells her that they have done transportation with Preljocaj. The economist also tells her about equipment and adds: "THE IDEA IS THAT WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH PRELJOCAJ BUT WE HAVE NO INVOICE. AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED."

At this moment, Adela Kondakçiu asks if this contract has been submitted somewhere, but the economist from "Rametal" answers: "Not yet. Only the notary has it."

Adela Kondakçiu addresses the economist, saying: "I wanted to announce that I am making this invoice for Rametal today for TOB differences. I will make the invoice from Partners Law and it will include VAT."

So, they finally decide who will issue the invoice and the company is "Partners Law" sh.pk of citizen Ajola Xoxa.

The economist replies: “Okay.” Page 71. Adela Kondakçiu sends the value: “22,000 euros plus VAT.”

The answer is: “Ok. Adela Kondakçiu asks the economist to confirm whether the invoice for Partners has been paid.”

The economist responds on page 73 that they haven't closed it yet and will let you know as soon as it is processed.

So, in this entire scheme explained by the court in an analytical manner, it results that TKOB collaborated with Ajola Xoxa's NGO for the performances, while Elman Abule, through "Rametal", gave millions of lek for costume design and scenography.

This is also confirmed by Elman Abule in his statements to prosecutors, where he states that an artistic performance was to be held and Rametal covered the logistics. He does not know who organized the performance. He says that it was organized urgently because Marisa, who had talked to Ajola, requested it. He explained that he does not remember the payments received and does not know what happened to the amount collected.

"He was asked about the service he provided to the Opera and Ballet Theater, and he explained that an artistic performance would be held and Rametal covered the logistics. He does not know who organized the performance. He says that it was organized urgently because Marisa, who had talked to Ajola, requested it. He explained that he does not remember the payments received and does not know what happened to the amount collected," Abule declared to prosecutors./ CNA

Ajola Xoxa

CNA has uncovered very interesting details from the SPAK investigative file revealed by the court regarding Ajola Xoxa's NGOs and collaboration with Elman Abule and other institutions.

Today we will bring another detail revealing how the National Opera and Ballet Theater pays rent to the NGO, "Rametal" for costume design and scenography conceived by the Ballet Directorate of the National Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble Theater.

On 20.09.2023 , a "Lease Agreement" was signed with the parties: the National Opera and Ballet Theater of the People's Ensemble, legally represented by the General Director Ms. Abigeila Voshtina, and "RAMETAL".

According to the contract, TKOBAP undertakes to pay “Rametal” sh.pk, the total amount of 1, 213, 380 lek excluding VAT (one million eight hundred sixty-eight thousand two hundred twenty) lek.

But that's not enough. "Rametal" sh.pk leases the National Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble Theater, under the conditions set out below and in the condition in which they are located according to the list of items provided in Annex A, (attached to this contract) for the staging of the ballet "SONOMA" from 05.06 October 2023.

According to the contract, TKOBAP undertakes to pay "Rametal" sh.pk, the total amount of 1,868,220 lek excluding VAT (one million eight hundred sixty-eight thousand two hundred twenty) lek.

The above fees will be paid to "Rametal" sh.pk with representative Elman Abule. We remind you that the funds for the performances are from the Ministry of Culture, which otherwise translates, the funds from the ministry for the performances of TKOB, while TKOB signed rental contracts with "Rametal" of Elman Abule.

It is emphasized that TKOB is in collaboration with Ajola Xoxa's "Harabel" for the performances and, according to the proceeding body, it is proven that the public funds, allocated in this case by the Ministry of Culture, initially passed to two Non-Profit Organizations under the de facto control of citizen Ajola Xoxa.

Subsequently, the funds were transferred from these organizations to citizen Ajola Xoxa, "Arts Lab" sh.pk, legally owned by citizen Ajola Xoxa's uncle (Erald Simixhiu), but actually owned by the latter, to citizen Valmir Xoxa, a close cousin of citizen Ajola Xoxa, and citizen Ergys Krisiko, a close acquaintance of citizen Ajola Xoxa.

Meanwhile, regarding the amounts paid for rent in favor of "Rametal" sh.pk by TKOB, it is proven both from the relevant invoices and from the communications between citizen Adela Kondakçiu and the financier of this company, that they are transferred after collection in favor of "Partners Law" sh.pk, a company legally owned by citizen Ajola Xoxa.

So, in this entire scheme explained by the court in an analytical manner, it results that TKOB has collaborated with Ajola Xoxa's NGO for the shows, while Elman Abule, through "Rametal", has given millions of lek for costume design and scenography./ CNA

CNA has uncovered another scandalous case that is reflected in the file declassified by the GJKKO and Judge Erion Bani, which shows that Ajola Xoxa received a full 18 thousand dollars from the American Embassy for projects that would be implemented in the period January-July 2022. ( READ HERE )

But what happened?

In the communications of two associates of Ajola Xoxa, financier Adela Kondakçiu and former BYLA director Ina Goxhaj, it appears that fictitious invoices were issued for these projects and, as noted in the GJKKO decision, at least until May, none of the activities for which the US embassy financed were carried out.

On page 350, Adela Kondakçiu for the first time expresses concern about the implementation of the project funded by the American Embassy.

COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ADELA KONDAKÇIU AND INA GOXHAJT

The following communication on the same page indicates that at least until 30.05.2022, no activity has been carried out, considering that the time frame of the activity belongs to the period January-July 2022.

Adela Kondakçiu says: But I have a concern about the realization of the project because the embassy will want some photos, right?

This communication clearly shows that at least to this date, nothing has been done from the project funded by the Embassy in question.

This becomes even clearer in the communications that follow.

Adela Kondakçiu on page 351 says: "If they did anything they wanted, we wouldn't be in trouble."

So, it turns out that they have nothing, at least until the end of May 2022.

Ina Goxhaj says: "That's why I love Ejon. To provide me with the photos. Page 352.

Adela Kondakçiu continues: "They'll leave us alone and we'll be miserable. They'll leave us exposed later, we don't trust them." 

So, the executive director of the organization wants to meet with another person in order to provide the necessary photos that prove the development of the project funded by the American Embassy in Tirana.

Adela continues: I will try to meet Ilda a little, I will write to her one of these days when she will be in the office. Page 354.

Ina Goxhaj replies: Because I'm worried that in the end Ejona will say, fill out the check and they'll take the money and we'll be left with nothing.

These communications clearly show where the funds of the American Embassy in Tirana end up, as the decision emphasizes that none of the activities for which the US paid were carried out and that fictitious invoices were issued and distributed.

Even after all these facts, the American embassy has not reacted to such a scandal, even though it has paid a full 18 thousand dollars to Ajola Xoxa's NGO./ CNA