TIRANA, January 14/ATA/- Tirana police launched today evening an operation to arrest more than 40 people accused of being responsible for the consequences of the November 26 earthquake in Tirana.
Sources of Albanian Telegraphic Agency said that investigation launched by Tirana Prosecutor’s Office in collaboration with the State Police has led to the arrest of dozens of people so far.
Former mayors of Farka and Kashar are also among those detained, as well as the Chief of Urban Planning in Vora.
The offenses they have committed are classified as abuse of office. Therefore, there have been identified and have ended up in prison, technical managers, engineers, and mayors.
So far, 27 people have been arrested, while action is underway to apprehend others. They are accused of illegally interfering into the damaged apartment blocks. Police have escorted 30 people who are being questioned.
The Prosecutor’s Office has received documentation of earthquake damaged houses and buildings in the areas of Farka, Kashar, Vora, Kombinat and Liqeni i Thatë.
In the meantime, Tirana Prosecutor’s Office has received dozens of reports from various residents denouncing the first-floor owners for transforming their apartments into cafes. In many reports, the residents of the apartment blocks have come together to file a single complaint against these businessmen, accusing them of corroding the interior walls of the first floors, and replacing some of the main retaining walls with glass sheets.
About a month ago, Durrës Prosecutor’s Office issued 18 warrants for officials, builders, engineers and specialists. The investigative actions have shown that damage, collapse of buildings and consequences in people’s lives have come as a result of the construction being carried out without respecting the rules, norms and standards in the field of construction./p.s./
