The head of SPAK (Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime), Altin Dumani, stated on Friday evening that the institution he leads attaches importance to the investigation of criminal offenses committed by public officials. 

He made the statement during an activity with the OSCE Presence, which supported SPAK and the Special Courts in strengthening investigative and judicial capacities. 

The presence of the OSCE in Albania, in close cooperation with the School of Magistrates, organized a training on "Investigation and trial of criminal offenses in the field of public procurement". The training was designed based on the areas of interest identified by the prosecutors of the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) and by the judges of the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, who were the main beneficiaries of this activity. 

In his speech at the opening of the training, the head of SPAK, Altin Dumani, said: "SPAK has paid special attention to criminal offenses committed in the context of corruption of public officials, including those in the field of public procurement. The new approach followed consists of increasing the effectiveness of investigations through increasing human capacities, mainly in the field of financial investigations. On the other hand, the legal formulation of the relevant criminal offenses may need further improvements". 

The training aimed to increase the overall capacity of SPAK and Special Courts prosecutors to conduct investigations into high-level corruption and transnational organized crime groups. It focused on the risks associated with procurement procedures, legal innovations, special techniques in the investigation of criminal offenses in the field of public procurement, concessions and public-private partnerships, and the exchange of national and international best practices in this field, also through international cooperation. Case studies were also discussed during the training. 

The training took place as part of the interdepartmental efforts of the OSCE Presence to support Albania to advance the implementation of anti-corruption reform in the country and to consolidate the rule of law, key justice institutions and civil society associations working with the judicial system, through the application of international best practices, in accordance with international standards and OSCE commitments. 

The OSCE presence is a long-term partner of the judicial system, with its continuous support in the professional development process. The presence will continue to support the consolidation and efficient functioning of justice institutions.