TIRANA, Sept 21 /ATA/ The chief prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), Klodjan Braho, on Monday took part in the 42nd Conference of the FBI National Academy Associates’ European Chapter (FBINAA), where he stressed that “in Albania, we have made progress in investigating and combating organized crime.”
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Interior Ervin Demo, Director General of the State Police Skënder Hita, heads of law enforcement agencies, the International President of FBINAA, and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, Nancy VanHorn.
In his remarks, Braho said: “Through our investigations, we have gained insight into how criminal groups are organized, how they establish cross-border connections, and how they conceal and transfer their illicit proceeds. This knowledge can also support the investigations you conduct in your respective countries.”
“For SPAK, cooperation also means taking responsibility for supporting our partners’ investigations with the same commitment we expect in response to our own requests. Information obtained in Albania can help resolve a case in your country, while evidence provided by you can be crucial to an investigation in Albania. It is through this reciprocal cooperation that trust is built and we demonstrate that we can rely on one another,” Braho said.
The chief prosecutor of SPAK expressed particular appreciation to the FBI and international partners for their support and expertise.
“Our commitment is to respond with the same level of responsibility and seriousness. I hope that during your stay in Tirana, you will take away valuable ideas for your work and build relationships with colleagues whom you can confidently turn to in the future,” Braho said.
He added that international cooperation is a key part of SPAK’s work. “An investigation may start in Tirana, but communications, bank transfers, and assets we seek to trace can lead us to several other countries.”
“In such cases, the progress of an investigation also depends on colleagues who understand our requests, handle them responsibly, and help us obtain the evidence we are missing. I believe many of you are familiar with this experience and understand how important it is to know the institution you are dealing with and to have confidence in the professionals working there. This is where the added value of this network lies,” Braho emphasized.
The chief prosecutor of SPAK stressed that the shared experience at the FBI National Academy fosters professional relationships that extend well beyond the completion of the training.
“This network keeps those ties active and helps transform professional connections into concrete cooperation. The community now also includes the first graduate from the National Bureau of Investigation, alongside numerous colleagues from the State Police and other Albanian law enforcement agencies,” he said.
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