An official at Albania’s State Cadastre Agency in Dibër has been arrested by police as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged scheme involving the illegal transfer of property ownership, authorities said.

Daniel Gjura, deputy director of the Dibër Cadastre office, was arrested on Monday evening, days after police launched a major operation targeting individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged scheme.

Gjura had previously been declared wanted by police after a court imposed a detention measure of “arrest in prison” against him over suspected offenses including fraud and document falsification, allegedly carried out in cooperation with others.

The arrest follows a seven-month investigation that led police on June 17 to execute 14 security measures against current and former employees of Albania’s State Cadastre Agency, as well as other individuals suspected of benefiting from allegedly falsified documents.

Investigators allege that officials and former employees of the Dibër Cadastre office, together with a notary, collaborated to falsify documents and carry out unlawful administrative procedures aimed at transferring ownership of real estate properties in favor of citizen T.D. and members of his family.

Gjura previously served as director of the Dibër Cadastre office and was also a candidate for parliament representing the Socialist Party in Albania’s 2025 parliamentary elections.

Authorities have not announced a final court ruling, and the investigation remains ongoing.