Prosecutors in the southwestern Albanian city of Fier have concluded an investigation and sent the company “Sekilda” sh.p.k. and its owner, Seferin Lazeraj, to trial over allegations of concealing income and evading tax obligations, resulting in significant financial losses for the state budget.

According to the prosecution's findings, the company failed to declare revenues totaling 133,415,631 Albanian lek (approximately €1.3 million) for 2017 and did not submit its sales and purchase records.

Investigators identified alleged unpaid tax obligations amounting to 48,834,581 lek, including 46,695,471 lek in value-added tax and profit tax obligations for 2017, and 2,139,110 lek in unpaid VAT for 2018.

The total outstanding liability owed by the company to the state budget, including fines and interest, was calculated by the Fier Regional Tax Directorate at 112,604,938 lek, equivalent to more than €1.1 million.

The investigation included tax inspections, examination of banking records, information provided by the company's clients and an accounting assessment.

The company and its owner will face trial on charges of “Concealment of Income,” an offense provided for under Article 180, Paragraph 3, of Albania's Criminal Code.

The allegations will be examined by the court, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a final court decision