The General Directorate of Prisons, following yesterday's escape of Altin Ndoci from the Durrës Regional Hospital, has taken administrative and legal measures, suspending the chain of command of the Durrës prison and has arrested several Prison Police employees.
Ndoci had been detained at the Durrës Penitentiary Institution since 2020, under the security measure of "arrest with prison", and is suspected of serious criminal offenses, including murder under qualifying circumstances, illegal possession of weapons, and participation in a criminal organization.
Preliminary investigations show that his escort for a medical visit was not reported and approved according to procedures, nor was the Durrës Police Commissariat notified. Also, standard procedures for escorting pre-detainees were not respected, violating the bylaws in force.
PRESS RELEASE
DATE: 14.01.2026
Regarding the incident that occurred at the Durrës Regional Hospital, on 13.01.2026, where the detainee Altin Ndoci escaped, we clarify the following:
Citizen Altin Ndoci has been accommodated in the Durrës Penitentiary Institution since 20.05.2020, with the security measure "arrest in prison". With decisions No. 82, dated 21.07.2020; No. 42, dated 17.05.2022; and No. 86, dated 29.07.2024 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, the security measure "arrest in prison" has been imposed on him for the criminal offenses: murder in qualifying circumstances against two or more persons, illegal possession of weapons, criminal organization, commission of criminal offenses by a criminal organization and a structured criminal group, provided for by articles 79/dh, 278/1, 28/1, 28/4, 333 and 334 of the Criminal Code.
On 13.01.2026, the detainee underwent a medical consultation with the prison doctor, who recommended a consultation with a surgeon. Subsequently, the relevant structures of the Durrës Penitentiary Institution (health service, prison police, social and legal sectors) drafted the relevant acts and planned an escort for a medical visit to the Durrës Regional Hospital, according to the itinerary: Durrës Penitentiary Institution – Durrës Regional Hospital – return to the Penitentiary Institution, within the same day.
The detainee was presented to the infectious disease ward for medical treatment. After a medical examination by a cardiologist at the Durrës Regional Hospital, treatment and a re-examination after 2 (two) hours were recommended. While receiving medical treatment, citizen Altin Ndoci asked to go to the toilet. He was accompanied by Prison Police officers, but during this moment he resisted and hit the officers, managing to escape.
Preliminary verifications show that, regarding the planned escort, the Durrës Penitentiary Institution did not inform the General Directorate of Prisons and the Durrës Police Commissariat, and did not report to the General Directorate of Prisons either the planning or the implementation of the medical visit, in violation of the by-laws in force. It also appears that the standard procedures for escorting pre-detainees and convicts were not respected.
Based on preliminary data, by order of the General Director of Prisons, the entire chain of command of the Durrës Penitentiary Institution has been suspended, in order to guarantee a due legal and administrative process, specifically:
• Mr. Indrit Cerloj – Director of the Durrës Penitentiary Institution;
• Mr. Afrim Zeqiraj – Chief of Police;
• Mr. Dezdemon Pazaj – Chief of Police of Durrës Penitentiary Institution (commanded);
• Ms. Ylfete Sema – Head of Health Care Service;
• Mr. Aulon Quku – Head Nurse;
• Mr. Dorjan Saraçi – Prison Police Employee;
• Mr. Sali Ferrollari – Prison Police Employee;
• Mr. Preng Marvataj – Prison Police Employee;
• Mr. Fatjon Braçi – Prison Police Employee;
• Mr. Idajet Calamaj – Prison Police Employee;
• Mr. Aranit Çela – Prison Police Employee;
• Ms. Violeta Uka – Prison Police Employee.
Referring to the event and the actions taken, the General Directorate of Prisons in cooperation with the Internal Control Service in the Prison System, under the direction of the Prosecutor's Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Durrës, has decided to detain the following citizens:
• Commissioner Dezdemon Pazaj – Prison Police Employee;
• Commissioner Violeta Uka – Prison Police Employee;
• Chief Inspector Dorjan Saraçi – Prison Police Employee;
• Inspector Sali Ferrollari – Prison Police Employee;
• Inspector Fatjon Braçi – Prison Police Employee;
• Inspector Preng Marvataj – Prison Police Employee;
• Chief Inspector Aranit Çela – Prison Police Employee;
• Chief Nurse Aulon Quku – Employee of Durrës Penitentiary Institution.
The General Directorate of Prisons continues to take all necessary legal and administrative measures, as well as to strengthen security protocols in institutions for the execution of criminal decisions.
