The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime has delivered its verdict in the high-profile “Metamorfoza” case, sentencing businessman Pëllumb Gjoka and former police chief Ardit Hasanbegaj on charges linked to organized crime and murder plots.

The court found Gjoka guilty of facilitating the conditions for the planned killings of Kleanthi Musabelli, Dorjan Duli and Ibrahim Lici. He was also convicted of participation in a structured criminal group and active corruption of justice system officials.

Gjoka was sentenced to nine years in prison. However, under Albania’s abbreviated trial procedure, his sentence was reduced by one-third, leaving him to serve six years in a high-security prison.

The court acquitted Gjoka of the separate charge of illegal possession of firearms.

Former police chief Ardit Hasanbegaj was found guilty of facilitating the conditions for the planned murders of Dorjan Duli and Ibrahim Lici, as well as participating in a structured criminal group.

Hasanbegaj was initially sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. Following the application of the abbreviated trial procedure, his sentence was reduced by one-third, resulting in a final prison term of five years to be served in a high-security facility.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court stripped Hasanbegaj of the right to hold public office.

The ruling marks another significant development in the “Metamorfoza” investigation, one of Albania’s most closely watched organized crime cases.