Albania's High Prosecutorial Council (HPC) has begun the formal review process to select the country's next Prosecutor General, following the closure of the application period on August 1. The council now has 45 days to verify the credentials and eligibility of all candidates who submitted their applications for the seven-year mandate.

The deadline for submitting applications expired at midnight on August 1. From Sunday onward, the HPC and its appointments commission will examine the documentation submitted by candidates seeking to lead Albania's prosecution service.

By the deadline, four prosecutors had officially expressed interest and submitted their curriculum vitae and supporting documents, both electronically and in hard copy. They include SPAK prosecutor Adnan Xholi, Tirana prosecutor Rovena Zoto, and prosecutors Ylli Pjetërnikaj and Fatjona Memçaj.

Authorities are also expected to confirm whether additional candidates submitted their applications by post before the deadline. Among the names widely mentioned ahead of the closing date were former Acting Prosecutor General Arta Marku and former Serious Crimes prosecutor Pranvera Pustina. Officials are expected to verify on Monday whether either candidate filed an application through postal services in the final hours.

As part of the selection process, the HPC's Career Commission is required to request background and asset verification from a range of state institutions throughout August. These include the High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflicts of Interest (HIDAACI), tax and customs authorities, the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), state intelligence services, the Authority for Information on Former State Security Files, and any disciplinary bodies responsible for overseeing the professional conduct of the candidates.

Only after these verification procedures are completed will eligible candidates be invited to participate in public hearings before the council.

The competition for Albania's top prosecutorial post was launched after the High Prosecutorial Council announced the vacancy, as the seven-year term of current Prosecutor General Olsian Çela is due to expire in December.