In a speech before the leadership of the Socialist Party, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called on the Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) to investigate four hydropower plants privatized during the era of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, citing concerns over corruption.

Rama criticized SPAK for allegedly lacking the power to prosecute the events of January 21, and argued that the agency should focus on the privatization of Bistrica 1, Bistrica 2, Shkopet, and Ulëza hydropower plants, which he described as a “criminal” transfer that circumvented proper tax reimbursement.

“Total destruction of the distribution system has occurred. Second, the criminal privatization of four hydropower plants—Shkopet, Ulëza, Bistrica 1, and Bistrica 2—as a VAT return. If they want to fight corruption and crime, it will not be easy as long as they do not have the power to prosecute January 21. They should go and take the files of these four projects, built by the people and belonging to the people, which were handed over to a company under a VAT scheme,” Rama said.

He added a sharp critique of current officials, comparing them to “market dogs with flames in their hands and spoons sticking out,” highlighting his frustration with what he sees as the selective pursuit of corruption cases.