In the latest report by the US Department of State, Albania is praised for its positive steps in the fight against corruption, organized crime and money laundering, while emphasizing the important role that SPAK is playing in these efforts.
DASH underlines that, although challenges remain, including increasing criminal prosecutions and strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, SPAK has made significant progress, particularly in increasing the number and complexity of money laundering investigations and seizures of assets of suspicious origin.
According to the report, during 2023, SPAK seized assets worth $43 million and continued its actions in 2024, including arrests and confiscations of assets of former senior officials.
“Albania has taken positive steps; however, the government still needs to increase money laundering investigations and prosecutions to combat corruption, organized crime, and drug trafficking; improve interagency cooperation; and fully integrate SPAK into anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) efforts. SPAK has increased the number and complexity of money laundering investigations and seizures and has conducted simultaneous financial and asset investigations when it suspects legitimate assets obtained illegally; however, the number of prosecutions remains low. In 2023, SPAK seized assets worth $43 million and, in 2024, continued arrests and asset seizures of former senior officials,” the DASH report states.
One of the most prominent cases mentioned in the report is that of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who in September 2024 was accused by SPAK of corruption related to official actions that favored the interests of his family. The charges also include his son-in-law, who is suspected of corruption and money laundering. As part of the investigation, real estate, bank accounts and shares in companies linked to corrupt activities have been seized.
“In September 2024, SPAK charged former Prime Minister and State Department designated person under the Foreign and Related Programs Authorization Act, 2021: 7031(c), Sali Berisha, with corruption in connection with official actions that benefited his family’s interests. SPAK also charged his son-in-law with corruption and money laundering. Real estate, bank accounts, and his shares in companies linked to the corruption were seized,” the report states.
DASH also mentions the SPAK operation in November 2024, where, in cooperation with the State Police, Europol, and Italian authorities, it carried out a large-scale operation that led to the arrest of 29 people suspected of being part of a drug trafficking network run by two Albanian brothers.
The DASH report qualifies this approach as a clear signal of commitment to strengthening the rule of law and emphasizes the importance of the full integration of SPAK in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
