The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) said Monday that it had arrested Leli Kaja, administrator of the waste management company “ECO-ELB” sh.a., on suspicion of passive corruption involving public officials.

According to SPAK, Kaja was arrested in flagrante delicto on October 5 by investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), under the direction of the case prosecutor.

The arrest is part of a criminal proceeding registered by SPAK on October 1, 2026, following a referral from the BKH.

Investigators allege that Kaja requested and received 400,000 Albanian lek from the administrator of an economic operator in exchange for failing to carry out duties required of him in his capacity as administrator of ECO-ELB.

SPAK said special investigative methods and simulated operations were used during the investigation.

The 400,000 lek allegedly received by Kaja was found and seized during a personal search following his arrest, according to the prosecution.

Kaja is suspected of the criminal offense of passive corruption of persons exercising public functions, under Article 259, paragraph 2, of Albania’s Criminal Code.

SPAK said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the case and identify any other individuals who may have been involved.

The allegations remain subject to the judicial process, and Kaja is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a final court decision.