The Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction has upheld the security measure of "prison arrest" for the former director of "Bankers Petroleum", Leonidha Çobo, as well as for the current director of the company, Chinese citizen Hongping Xiao. The decision was made after reviewing appeals against the measures previously imposed by the Fier Court, which were overturned by the Appeal, supporting the requests of the Prosecution.
A representative of the Chinese embassy in Tirana was also present at the hearing held today. Meanwhile, lighter security measures were imposed for several other officials of the company under investigation, due to special circumstances.
Appeal Decisions:
Arrest in prison:
Leonidha Çobo
Hongping XiaoHouse arrest:
Lianyi Uang
Ardit Kero
Flavia Capo
Kledi XhaniMandatory appearance (instead of house arrest):
Doina Goga (due to family situation)
The ban on leaving the country is lifted, but the obligation to appear remains:
Majlinda Thana
Matilda Ibraliu
Erton Ademaj
In total, ten officials and former officials of “Bankers Petroleum” are under investigation for serious criminal offenses. According to the Prosecution, they are suspected of having set up a financial fraud scheme with major consequences for the Albanian state budget. The illegally obtained profits, amounting to millions of euros, are suspected of having been laundered through sophisticated financial schemes.
