Representatives of the Democratic Party denounced this Wednesday in the Complaints and Sanctions Commission (CAS), what they consider as a criminal scheme of buying votes on behalf of the Socialist Party.

Two of the mentioned names are Arianit Arapi and Ermir Gërxhani, who according to the opposition representatives, had connections with Shullazi's gang and other criminal elements, as well as had protection from the former Minister Tahiri and were appointed leaders of campaign in Gjirokastra by the political leader of the region, Bledi Çuçi.

"The Socialist Party in Gjirokastra region had political leader Bledar Çuçi, ranked fourth in the multi-name list. The director of the Campaign was citizen Arianit Arapi, the former Chief of Police, investigated for drug links and the infamous Shullazi gang. The connection between Çuçi and Arapi dates back to 2017, when Çuçi ran as a deputy for the Gjirokastra district and Arapi held the position of director of the Gjirokastra district police, being directly involved in the manipulation of votes.

According to the official information of SHISH and the State Police, this citizen in cooperation with Andrea Çaushi, cousin of the former Minister of Interior Saimir Tahiri, have allowed the cultivation of narcotic plants in the village of Kalivaç of Tepelena, and have even prevented the police forces from monitoring this area. This citizen, together with people with serious criminal records from Fushë-Kruja, connected with the Shullazi gang, as well as with the cooperation of the Përmet Police Director Ermir Gërxhani, have allowed the cultivation of narcotic plants in Përmet.

Another person with criminal records is the brother of the chairman of SP in Tepelena, Dino Selimi, who has served as a transporter for narcotics from the mountainous areas of Tepelena, in the coastal city of Vlora. Sokol Feruni is another person with terrible criminal records for narcotics cultivation, who is directly involved in Bledar Çuçi's campaign. This citizen, in cooperation with his brother and citizen Andi Shkurta, are known for their criminal connections. Due to the above connections these citizens have implemented a criminal vote-buying scheme.

At the time when Tahiri was the Minister of Interior, the Serious Crimes Prosecutors sent to court some of the members of the group, but Arianit Arapi and Ermir Grexhani, who were the leaders of the Gjirokastra and Përmet police, escaped. In February 2021, Arianit Arapi, after leaving the State Police due to connections with a criminal element, was appointed advisor to the Minister of Interior and leader of the SP Campaign in Gjirokastra ", said the DP representative.