The show "Në Shënjestër" with author Klodiana Lala has revealed new details from the investigations into the criminal activity of the group led by Aleksandër Laho, known by the nickname "Rrumi". Documents, wiretapped conversations and transcripts obtained from the encrypted Sky Ecc application show how the criminal group of "Rumi" acted to alienate properties, launder money, and plan the elimination of its opponents in Durrës. According to the investigation documents, the group led by Laho had set up a sophisticated scheme to forge ownership documents, manipulating land acquisition acts. They fictitiously increased the number of plots and then forged official documents, which they illegally entered into the system of the former Durrës Mortgage.
In many cases, the criminal group tore up the original property registration sheets that were listed as “forest” or “fruitless” to replace them with new registrations such as “arable land.” In this way, false revaluation practices were created and the lands were then alienated through acts of sale or donation.
The illegally acquired properties were often registered in the names of villagers in the areas of Lalz, Draç, Bizë and Shetaj, who were unaware of their involvement. The properties were then sold to companies and businessmen interested in construction in the coastal area of Lalz and Cape Rodoni. It was these properties that were the cause of several physical clashes that occurred in recent years, including the incident of October 29, 2023 in Cape Rodoni, where eight people were involved in a physical altercation between residents and representatives of the Catholic Church.
Investigators say Aleksandër Laho, who had accumulated vast wealth through this scheme, used the embezzled properties not only for economic gain but also to settle scores with his opponents in the city of Durrës. He was willing to exchange state property to ensure the elimination of those who opposed him, including Plaurent Dervish, a known leader of a rival gang.
In a series of conversations conducted on the Sky Ecc app with Elidon Avdyli (known as Aldo Avdyli), nephew of Astrit Avdyli, Laho offered him rewards in coastal properties in exchange for planned assassinations. The targets included Plaurent Dervishi, Lulzim Berisha, and Mond Çekici, the latter executed on March 20, 2021 in Durrës.
In one of these conversations, recently published by the show "Në Shënjestër", it is revealed that "Rrumi" planned to eliminate several figures of the criminal world in Durrës, while also discussing the possible influence of politics on his plans.
In the intercepted communications, Laho writes to Avdyl:
"Comrade, the head of the group is Luli first, Cekja, then this Lenti basin... These run the city's game, the others are passive, insignificant."
Aldo then responds:
"You're really crazy, brother... That's it. No one will put you in the field or in the mind. Yes, Luli, Ceke, I say. We'll go straight to Luli. He loves it... You just decide."
In another part of the conversation, "Rrumi" emphasizes:
"We're removing Ceken, because he's the brains of those on the ground, because they have the city in control... plus they've gathered all of Arjan's opponents..."
In further communications, the two interlocutors also mention the name of Prime Minister Edi Rama, stating that his presence in the area would "extinguish" their opportunities to continue criminal activities:
"If this Rama comes here, we can't do much because he'll turn us off," one of the messages says.
In another conversation, Avdyli reminds Laho:
"Brother, look at that land you told me not to neglect, because I really need something to leave to my children."
According to investigations, the "Rumi" group used the profits from the sale of embezzled assets to finance other criminal activities, including weapons, logistics, and the corruption of local officials.
In a previous case, during the examination of Aleksandër Laho's seized phone, investigators discovered falsified photos and official documents linking well-known names in the local administration to the property alienation scheme.
Among other things, Laho was also involved in active corruption against public officials, including the heads of the State Attorney's Office in Durrës, as in the case of lawyer Irgen Kërçuku, whom he had initially bribed and then filmed and raped in order to receive the money he himself had given him as a reward.
According to SPAK data:
"The facts and evidence provided show that behind the beneficiary citizens are other persons who, in collaboration with state administration employees at the Durrës District Council and the former Durrës ZVRPP, have alienated an area of agricultural land of 189,230 m², which should have been registered as state property."
This voluminous dossier links Aleksandër Laho not only to corruption and property alienation, but also to planning assassinations and physical eliminations of opponents, ranking him among the most talked about figures in the criminal world in the country.
