Former minister and former deputy mayor of Tirana, Arbjan Mazniku, appeared today at the premises of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (SCOC), to testify in the judicial process known as the "5D" case.
In this criminal case, at the center of the investigation are the suspicious tenders awarded by the Municipality of Tirana in favor of the company "5D", which, according to the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK), was de facto controlled by Redi Molla and Mariglen Qato - the two main defendants in this case.
Also in the dock are Taulant Tusha, several other former officials of the Municipality of Tirana, and businessman Nestor Muhametllari. They face charges ranging from “abuse of office” and “passive corruption of public officials” to “money laundering.”
Maznik's presence comes as part of the list of witnesses being called to shed light on the tendering mechanism and the relationship between public institutions and the "5D" company.
The next session is expected to continue with the hearing of other witnesses and the presentation of evidence by SPAK.
What is the “5D” file?
The "5D" file is an investigative case pursued by SPAK that deals with suspicions of corruption, abuse of office and money laundering related to tenders won by the company "5D Konstruksion" and companies affiliated with it, in institutions subordinate to the Municipality of Tirana.
The defendants
Redi Molla – former director at the Municipality of Tirana
Mariglen Qato – former director of municipal institutions
Taulant Tusha – official involved in procurement procedures
Nestor Muhametllari – businessman
Several former officials of the bid evaluation committees, as well as officials of the Tirana Sports Club and Tirana Parking.
inquiry
The "5D" company benefited from important tenders from the Municipality of Tirana and subordinate institutions.
Public officials are suspected of being secret (de facto) owners of this company through fictitious partners.
Procurement procedures were manipulated to favor 5D.
The tenders were of considerable value, in the field of construction, reconstruction and public investments.
Main charges
Violation of equality in tenders
Passive and active corruption of public officials
Cleaning of proceeds of crime
Concealment and non-declaration of assets
Evidence and actions taken
Contracts, banking transactions, ownership relationships, and communications between the defendants were analyzed.
Assets have been seized, including property, vehicles, and bank accounts.
Dozens of witnesses were taken, including officials and administration employees.
Court hearings are divided into factions for procedural convenience.
The importance of the issue
The “5D” case is considered one of the most significant investigations related to the abuse of public tenders at the local level, with a direct impact on Tirana Municipality funds. It points to an organized scheme where public officials are suspected of indirectly benefiting from contracts they themselves administered.
