TIRANA, Oct 27 /ATA/ The Prosecutor General, Olsian Çela, while presenting his 2024 annual report to Parliament on the institution’s activities, also addressed the issue of illegal construction across the country, sharing statistics on criminal proceedings and convictions related to this crime.
According to Çela, 1,130 criminal cases for unauthorized construction were registered in 2024, involving 207 defendants, 358 cases referred to court, and 400 individuals convicted. “It is clear that the prosecution is actively working, in cooperation with the relevant institutions, to combat this phenomenon,” he stated.
The Prosecutor General highlighted that the investigations also examine the accountability of officials from institutions responsible for territorial protection, including the Territorial Protection Inspectorate (IMT). “Every time an illegal construction is reported, it must be investigated why it was permitted and why those in charge were remiss in performing their duties. In each instance, there may be responsibility on the part of the entities entrusted with safeguarding the territory,” Çela said.
He pointed out that not all administrative infractions automatically qualify as criminal offenses but stressed the importance of conducting indepth investigations into officials who permitted illegal constructions. “While prosecutors tend to handle such cases promptly, there may still be instances where the investigation of officials involved in unlawful practices have not been conducted effectively,” Çela concluded.
Çela responded to a question from MP Jorida Tabaku regarding the number of referrals from the Tax Directorate and other financial intelligence institutions concerning criminal offenses related to money laundering.
Çela stated that since 2020, special sections and dedicated prosecutors have been established to investigate money laundering cases. While he could not disclose details of seized properties, he emphasized the importance of an organized and effective approach. He noted that more work remains and expects increased referrals from the Tax Directorate on money laundering offenses.
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