Agents of Albania’s National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), assisted by State Police officers, carried out searches on Friday at the premises of the pharmaceutical company Evita in the capital, acting on orders from the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK).

The searches were authorized by SPAK prosecutor Dorina Bejko and are part of an investigation into alleged abuses in public procurement tenders. Investigators searched the company’s offices around midday.

Evita, a pharmaceutical and medical equipment company linked to businessman Klodian Allajbeu, is suspected of benefiting from a public tender awarded in violation of procurement procedures.

The case concerns a tender issued by the Centralized Purchasing Operator for cardiac surgery equipment, with an estimated value of about 750 million lek. Evita Sh.p.k. was declared the winner after the competing bidder was disqualified, despite having submitted a lower offer.

Investigators say Evita won the contract despite offering approximately 120 million lek more than its competitor. The probe is ongoing.