A joint investigation by Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) and Italy’s Verona Prosecutor’s Office has returned to the spotlight after an Italian judge reportedly overturned an earlier decision to seize around €4 million in assets belonging to members of the Çela family.

Italian newspaper L’Arena reported that Judge Paola Vacca, who had initially approved the seizure based on information provided by Italy’s Guardia di Finanza and SPAK, later ordered the release and return of the assets to their owners.

According to the report, lawyers representing the family argued that the funds used to acquire the properties came from legitimate business activities. The court reportedly found no criminal convictions or records against family members and ruled that the submitted documentation supported the legal origin of the assets.

The case followed a July 2025 operation targeting a suspected criminal organization from Elbasan, during which authorities in Italy seized properties and financial assets allegedly linked to the family.

The legal dispute has also led to complaints filed against former SPAK chief Altin Dumani, with allegations that information provided to Italian authorities caused unjustified asset seizures and economic damage. SPAK has rejected the claims, stating that the allegations lack legal and evidentiary grounds.

SPAK said that the international investigation was conducted through cooperation between Albanian and Italian authorities, including the creation of a Joint Investigation Team between SPAK and the Verona Prosecutor’s Office.

The case remains under legal review in both Albania and Italy.