The former director of the State Intelligence Service (SHISH) in Berat, identified as Aleksander Shulla along with his son Pandeli Shulla, are under investigation by Berat Prosecution Office. They are facing charges for “Organizing or conducting illegal gambling activities,” “Unauthorized possession and production of firearms, explosives, and ammunition”, and the “Disclosure of state secrets by a person entrusted with the information.” The offenses are prosecuted under Articles 197/1, 273/3, and 294/1 of the Albanian Criminal Code.

According to Berat Prosecution Office, investigations into case number 370 from 2023 revealed that gambling activities were taking place at a venue in the “30 Vjetori” neighborhood, run by P.Sh. Several computers of different brands were found turned on, displaying online games similar to those on Adex Casino.

Technical checks confirmed that these devices had software or apps installed, allowing online gambling through an internet connection.

During the investigations, authorities searched the home of A.Sh., P.Sh.’s father, where they found a bronze-colored metal magazine loaded with five live 7.62 mm rounds, a black handbag containing three magazines, each loaded with seven 7.62 mm rounds, and two USB drives labeled “Turbox” and “Kingston.”

This citizen, who previously served as the Director of Berat Intelligence Service, stated that he left his position in November 2023 and handed over his weapons, but forgot to surrender the ammunition found at his residence during a police search. He explained that the 7.62 caliber rounds were old ammunition from weapons he had discovered in the former SHIK building, which he kept as souvenirs and inadvertently left at home.

However, the prosecution’s investigations established that the weapons had been properly returned, as confirmed by the official handover document held by the institution. Additionally, it was found that two files stored on USB drives labeled “USB drive” were classified as “secret” and are maintained by SHISH in a single copy. Unauthorized copying or duplication of these files is strictly forbidden and violates SHISH’s operational regulations.

The unauthorized acquisition of these materials, in violation of classified information security protocols, resulting in their partial or complete unauthorized disclosure, constitutes a serious breach of classified information security.

After concluding the preliminary investigations and thoroughly analyzing all collected data and evidence, it was determined that sufficient proof exists to establish that the accused, P.Sh. and A.Sh., committed the offenses they are charged with. The investigation conclusively proves that A.Sh., a former employee of the State Intelligence Service, copied classified materials entrusted to him through his official position—materials legally recognized as state secrets.

The accused unlawfully possessed classified materials in violation of security regulations and stored them on two USB drives found in his residence, despite no longer holding a position within the State Intelligence Service. This unauthorized possession and storage, which resulted in the partial or full disclosure of the classified information, constitutes a breach of classified information security.

Furthermore, it was determined that there is sufficient evidence to support the charge of “Organizing or conducting gambling activities in violation of the law,” as provided for in Article 197/1 of the Criminal Code, against the accused P.Sh.

Similarly, there is sufficient proof to support the charges of “Unauthorized possession and production of weapons, explosive devices, and ammunition” and “Disclosure of state secrets by a person entrusted with the information” as stipulated in Articles 278/3 and 294/1 of the Criminal Code, against the accused A.Sh. These charges are considered fully proven in accordance with Article 331 of the Criminal Procedure Code.