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Prime Minister Edi Rama, at a conference organized by the ...

Investigate the violation that leads to corruption, not the other way around

2025-02-19 22:32:00, Opinione Ola Xama

I hear more and more often a discourse where it is said that SPAK is making a serious mistake by investigating the assets of high-ranking officials, since with this standard they can put all Albanians in prison. In fact, I want to remind them that every official, before taking office, has agreed to have his assets investigated. Not only that, but he is criminally liable for any false declaration he fills out in the annual asset declaration.

It is said that the procedure should be investigated for violations that then lead to corruption, and not the other way around. Isn't it called corruption when in exchange for a public service that you are legally obligated to provide, you take money - otherwise you don't give the permit, license or property?

But when the award of a public contract is made by law, shouldn't any official who has received a reward in exchange for this favor be investigated because they haven't violated any law?
Please don't insult our intelligence. The law on annual asset declaration was therefore adopted, so that when an official steals by law, decision or commission, their assets are checked and whether or not there are benefits in conflict of interest.

In the "Veliaj" case, SPAK has found sponsorships in conflict of interest from the two main businessmen who benefit from public works in the Municipality of Tirana, so anyone who says petty corruption is wrong. There are not nearly 100 million euros in public contracts for just two entrepreneurs.

Even businessmen should not be treated as subjects of a corrupt system, but as part of the mechanism of a rotten system. In addition to corrupting, they earn millions of euros and share them with officials - they take over and cover up their wealth by keeping villas in their own names and justifying the 'cash' found in their safes.

I feel no pity for anyone who says, "I gave because if you don't give - you can't take." I only feel bad for those who steal because they have nothing to eat, while those who wander around state offices to increase their millions are just as harmful as corrupt officials.