Albania’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption (SPAK), has intensified its investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, with sweeping operations carried out across the country.

Judge Erion Çela has authorized 35 search and seizure warrants nationwide. Due to the ??????? of the operation, nearly the entire structure of the National Bureau of Investigation was deployed in the field under the direction of case prosecutors.

Sources confirm that authorities have confiscated a range of documents, as well as mobile phones and computer equipment deemed valuable to the investigation. These materials are expected to undergo detailed forensic examination. The searches targeted companies, individuals, and relatives connected to Balluku.

According to the local media, among those affected by the searches is businessman Mired Reçi, identified as a relative of Balluku. Reçi previously held shares in at least two companies, “XL Market” and “Hippo Tregu Elektrik,” alongside Meland Qirko, another relative of the former deputy prime minister. Both companies were transferred to a third party in February 2020 and declared inactive a month later.

Investigators have also questioned several individuals in recent days, including Viola Haxhiademi, former Secretary General of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and current director at KESH, as well as businessman Arbër Abazi.

Balluku was initially named a suspect on October 31 last year in connection with the construction of the Llogara Tunnel. Weeks later, on November 19, she was barred from leaving the country. A subsequent request to suspend her from office sparked political tensions and was ultimately brought before the Constitutional Court of Albania, which failed to reach the quorum required for a ruling.

Parallel investigations have expanded to include seven lots linked to the construction of Tirana’s Great Ring Road. On December 16, SPAK requested parliamentary authorization for Balluku’s arrest, but the motion was rejected by a vote in parliament after nearly three months.

Authorities have also conducted inspections in nearly all companies that won contracts for the ring road project. At least three additional tender procedures are under investigation, involving suspected abuses worth several hundred million dollars.