ILDKPI refutes Rama's claims, Faktoje reveals the real estate portfolio of the former director of ANA
Prime Minister Edi Rama claimed that Mirlinda Karçanaj lives in a rented house. Faktoje's verifications show that the former director of ANA owns four apartments and a 1,500 m² olive grove, two in co-ownership and two in full ownership.
Last December, the Special Prosecution Office struck a suspected criminal group at the head of the AKSHI, including director Mirlinda Karçanaj, currently under house arrest, suspected of violating equality in tenders in collaboration as part of a structured criminal group.
In a 206-page "investigation summary," SPAK describes a well-organized network within the agency, which is suspected of embezzling hundreds of millions of euros from public tenders, through blackmail, hostage-taking, and the involvement of senior state and police officials.
This is considered one of SPAK's most serious files, as AKSHI is one of the most sensitive institutions in the country, managing almost the entire digital governance system through e-Albania and serving as an intermediary between citizens and institutions for hundreds of services.
However, Prime Minister Edi Rama came to the defense of his former close associate, stating that Mirlinda Karçanaj enjoys “unquestionable respect.” He even lamented the plight of Karçanaj, accused of embezzling millions of euros, noting that she lives in a rented house.
"Linda Karcanaj, who is currently under security in a rented house, where she lives after having lived until a few years ago in her parents' house, in an apartment that was from the communist era...," Rama declared late last year.
This statement caused strong reactions in the media and social networks, opening a wide public debate. There was also no shortage of ironic reactions, with some popular social media pages sarcastically suggesting opening a "GoFundMe" for Mirlinda Karçanaj.
But beyond the noise, the facts require verification. That's why Faktoje turned to the High Inspectorate for Declaration and Control of Assets, ILDKPI, to see what Karçanaj herself declares about her real estate.
How many properties does Karçanaj own?
Analysis of her asset declarations over 21 years shows a much richer picture than the one presented by the prime minister. In 2007, when she was the director of Information Technology at the Municipality of Tirana, Karçanaj declared 25% of a 3+1, 94 m² apartment in Tirana.
In 2013 (when she also took on her new role as director of the National Agency for the Protection of Women), the same property was seen as hers with a 50% co-ownership. In 2016, this apartment was revalued at over 13 million lek or 135 thousand euros.
In the same year, Karçanaj also declared the purchase of another 136 m² apartment in Tirana for 65 thousand euros, 50% of which belongs to her husband, Artan Babaramo.
Also in 2016, the couple bought a 60 m² apartment in Qerret for 17,340 euros. Both purchases, according to the statements, were financed by savings over the years and salaries.
A year later, the Tirana apartment purchased for 65 thousand euros is revalued at around 24.5 million lek or 240 thousand euros.
In 2022, Karçanaj becomes the sole owner of a 3+1 apartment in Tirana worth 135 thousand euros, inherited from her parents, and adds other assets: a 73.5 m² apartment and a 1,500 m² olive grove, also through inheritance, without specifying the location and value.
So, unlike what the prime minister declared, Karçanaj owns four apartments, 2 in co-ownership with his spouse and 2 others in full ownership, as well as a 1,500 m² olive grove, not including the declared savings in euros and lek over the years.
cONcluSiON
Verification of Mirlinda Karçanaj's asset declarations clearly shows that she owns four apartments and a 1,500 m² olive grove, respectively two in co-ownership with her husband and two in full ownership./ Faktoje.al /
