Inquiry Committee to Call 24 Public Officials to Testify

The Inquiry Committee, that will investigate the Electoral Crimes for the April 25th parliamentary elections, will call 24 public officials to testify. They will provide clarifications on some points set by the Democrat-led committee. 

The list includes names like Prime Minister Edi Rama, Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj, Interior Minister Bledi Çuçi, the head of SPAK (Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime) Arben Kraja, head and former head of the State Police, Gledis Nano and Ardi Veliu, as well as the two journalists Armand Shkullaku and Andi Bushati. 

The chairman of this committee, Enkelejd Alibeaj, stated in Monday's meeting that the investigation will clarify the manner of law enforcement, the use of public functions on the verge of elections, the legal framework for personal data protection and the investigation of actions and inactions of public bodies. 

"The investigation will clarify the manner of law enforcement, the use of public functions on the verge of elections. The investigation will investigate the legal framework for the protection of personal data, which are the subjects that are the obligation for the protection of personal data. What are the reasons that pushed the perpetrators to commit these violations? What is the legal framework in terms of compensation for damages caused by the 2019 earthquake?

What are the subjects that have violated the legal obligations and what are the reasons that have pushed them to commit these violations? What is the legal framework that regulates the issuance of legalization permits during the election process? Who are the entities charged by law with the issuance of permits? What are the reasons that have pushed the above entities to commit these violations? What is the legal framework governing employment in public administration? 

The tasks of the commission are to control the actions and omissions for the collection of information. Control of the actions of public bodies regarding the provision of rewards, compensations, provision of economic assistance. 

The number of criminal proceedings for electoral crimes and the stage of their investigation will be investigated. The Committee of Inquiry will use all methods of investigation, including the inspection, control or seizure of acts at the responsible institutions. In accordance with the needs during the investigation, experts will be appointed ", said Alibeaj. 

List of persons to be called to testify: 

Edi Rama- Prime Minister 
Arben Ahmetaj - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reconstruction 
Bledi Çuçi- Minister of Interior 
Belinda Balluku - Minister of Infrastructure 
Ogerta Manastirliu- Minister of Health 
Emirjana Sako- Mayor of Durrës 
Erion Veliaj- Mayor of Tirana 
Arben Kraja- Head of SPAK 
Olsian Çela- Head of the General Prosecution 
Ardi Veliu- Former director of the State Police 
Gledis Nano- Director of State Police 
Artan Lame - Head of Cadastre 
Lindita Karçanaj - Head of AKSHI 
Shkëlqim Hajdari- Inspector General of the Inspectorate 
Rejda Kashta - Director of the Public Procurement Agency 
Sokol Zaimi - Director of State Material Reserves 
Bledar Doracaj- Director of Civil Status 
Albana Koçiu - Director of the Department of Public Administration 
Adrian Çela - Administrator of OSHEE 
Laert Duraj - Former director of the Albanian Post 
Besnik Dervishi - Commissioner for Personal Data Protection 
Erinda Ballanca - People's Advocate 
Armand Shkullaku - Journalist 
Andi Bushati - Journalist