At the Ferrochrome Plant in Papër, over 300 tons of industrial dust were found, stored in bags in the open. According to the National Environment Agency report, the waste captured by the chimney filters had been there for more than a year. Inspectors also reported slag deposited in the open, without insulation and without protective channels for water.
The concern is compounded by the fact that a few months ago the National Inspectorate of Territorial Protection had also intervened. In May 2026, IKMT announced that it had found about 318 tons of hazardous waste on the premises of “Albchrome”. According to the institution, the company did not have a contract for their transfer or treatment. For this reason, a fine of 4 million lek was imposed and the activity was suspended until the waste was disposed of.
The published reports do not clarify whether the amount found by the KTA in October was the same as that found by the IKMT in May. It is also not known whether the waste was removed after the measure was imposed and who verified its implementation. These are questions that require answers from the responsible institutions.
The NEA also reported that a gas station was found within the plant's territory that was not included in the environmental permit. While the possibility of soil and water contamination raises concerns for residents, the specific impact needs to be determined through published water, soil and air analyses.
The responsibility for the administration of the company also relates to the persons who have exercised managerial functions. According to the NCC documents, Erjon Duraj was the administrator of “Albchrome” during the period reflected in the register. The law charges the administrators with the management and representation of the company, and requires them to pay special attention to the impact of the activity on the environment.
The investigation must determine what powers Duraj had over the Papri plant, what he knew about the waste, and what actions he took. Appointment as administrator does not in itself prove criminal liability; his role must be assessed on the basis of documents and evidence.
Duraj is the husband of Holta Zaçaj, former President of the Constitutional Court and First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania since April 1, 2026. Zaçaj's declaration of private interests identifies Duraj as his spouse and reflects his income from salary at "Albchrom sh.pk" during 2024. This connection makes it of public interest to clarify the period and role that Duraj had in the company.
The investigation into the waste in Papër has been entrusted to Kreshnik Ajazi, Jonida Allushi and Vasjana Postol. Ajazi has a career of several years in the prosecution service, while Allushi was appointed prosecutor in 2023 and Postol in 2022. Both were transferred to the Elbasan Prosecution Office in January 2026. So, the team is led by an experienced prosecutor, but the other two members have only a few years in this position. Public records do not indicate whether they have specific experience in investigating environmental crimes.
For Postoli, Papri is not the first case to be associated with public question marks. In the investigation into the death of Egli Proga, she initially described the event as "negligent homicide", while the police had referred to it as "intentional murder". After objections from the family, Postoli left that file.
It remains to be seen how far the prosecutors assigned to this investigation will go. Given the relatively short experience of both of them and the questions that have accompanied previous investigations, it is doubtful whether this group will have the stamina to see a case of this magnitude through to the end or whether SPAK should have taken it over.
