Well-known businessman Samir Mane appeared this Wednesday at the Special Prosecution Office, as part of investigations related to the "Balluku" file and more specifically to the luxury villa in the "Green Coast" complex in Palasa.
Mane arrived at the SPAK premises around 18:00, while today architects Alban and Olsi Eftimi, the two directors of the "Atelier 4" studio, also appeared at the Special Prosecutor's Office. Sources indicate that their presence is related to the verifications that SPAK is conducting for villa no. 188/1 in Palasa, a property seized by the Special Prosecutor's Office and which investigators suspect was actually owned by former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
The name of “Atelier 4” has appeared in the investigative file due to materials, projects and electronic communications related to this villa. According to the data published in the file, estimates, floor plans and documents related to the furnishing and works in the Palasa villa were found on the studio's computers.
At the center of the investigation are also Alban Eftimi's communications with Balluk. In a September 2020 email, Eftimi sent the former deputy prime minister project reviews and details of the property's furnishings, including an infinity pool, hot tubs, and the use of teak and marble. Another communication contained floor plans and designs for two villas.
According to SPAK, the villa up to the construction phase was allegedly financed by former footballer Igli Tare, while further works and the swimming pool were allegedly financed by businessman Arbër Abazi, administrator of "Alko Impex General Construction". The documents seized at "Atelier 4", according to reports on the file, show payments from Abazi's company in amounts ranging from 288 thousand to 410 thousand euros.
It is precisely the connection of this property with the “Green Coast” complex, where the seized villa was built, that brings the name of Samir Manes into focus. Earlier, the BKH has conducted searches in the villa and offices of the businessman, while during the search his mobile phone was also seized. At that stage, the investigations linked Manes' name to verifications for suspected investments in the “Green Coast” project in Palasa.
Mane's appearance today at SPAK, after questioning the Eftimi brothers, shows that the Special Prosecution Office is expanding the circle of people who may have knowledge of how the villa was ordered, designed, financed and finalized, which SPAK suspects is Belinda Balluku's hidden wealth.
The case against the former deputy prime minister includes suspicions of corruption, money laundering and concealment of assets. Up to this stage, these are suspicions of the prosecution and not final judicial conclusions.
