Albanian authorities have launched a sweeping operation targeting the State Cadastre Agency in Durrës, as prosecutors investigate an alleged scheme involving the fraudulent transfer of state-owned land through forged documents.

The operation, led by the Durrës Prosecutor’s Office, resulted in the issuance of 12 court-ordered security measures by the Durrës Court. The measures include pre-trial detention, house arrest, and mandatory reporting to judicial police, according to judicial authorities.

Prosecutors allege that current and former public officials, together with private individuals, collaborated to illegally transfer large areas of state-owned property into private ownership using falsified documentation. The investigation remains ongoing.

Among those ordered into pre-trial detention are Ramazan Sheshi, who is under investigation on suspicion of fraud, document forgery, and money laundering, as well as Adrian Kona, Bledar Zerba, and Rovin Zeqja, each suspected of document forgery and abuse of office.

The court also ordered house arrest for Shaqir Sheshi, Viktor Mataj, Arianit Mataj, and Besnik Xhafa, all of whom are under investigation on suspicion of fraud and document forgery.

Meanwhile, Fiqeret Xhafa was placed under a mandatory reporting measure while being investigated on suspicion of fraud, document forgery, and money laundering. Similar reporting obligations were imposed on Jonida Mergeja, Leandro Dervishi, and Artur Çobani, who are each under investigation on suspicion of abuse of office.

The prosecutor's office alleges that the suspects played various roles in a coordinated scheme to falsify official documents and facilitate the unlawful registration and transfer of valuable public land to private beneficiaries.

Authorities have not disclosed the total amount of land allegedly affected or the estimated financial damage caused by the suspected scheme. The investigation is continuing, and prosecutors have indicated that additional legal actions may follow.

Under Albanian law, all individuals under investigation are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a final court decision.