Deputy U.S. ambassador Demian Smith made the statement at the event commemorating NBI investigator candidates completing FBI training

Smith underlined that, “Albania has now established both institutions that make up SPAK – Special Prosecution Office (SPO) and the NBI.”

“SPO has been working without you, and now you will join forces against corruption and crime. It is only with the NBI – all of you – that SPAK will be a complete success. Stay in the fight.   Your partners around the world can shine the light on bad actors, but it will be the SPAK that will do the hard work:  investigating and prosecuting, working hand in hand to topple corruption and organized crime. As you go forth from this graduation, you will be part of a new chapter of independent, trusted, efficient and credible judicial institutions.   Today is an important step forward in Albania’s fight against corruption and organized crime”, stated Smith.

While addressing the candidates, Smith said that, “Delivering justice for your fellow citizens is an important and challenging mission”.

“Out of 700 candidates, you are the 27 who made it, the best of the best.  Your country needs you, you will be investigating some of the most important crimes in this country — corruption and organized crime.  You are an example of courage and dedication for stepping forward to serve your country during this important time”, said he.

Smith appreciated that, “Justice reform in Albania has not been easy, quick or perfect, but you do it because it is hard”.

“All the institutions established by the passage of Justice Reform in 2016, are now fully functional. Last year at this time, Ambassador Yuri Kim congratulated Albania on the appointment of Aida Hajnaj as the first NBI Director, marking a major milestone in the implementation of Justice Reform”, said he.

Smith assured that, “As always, the United States stands ready to support you.   Whether it’s to develop the NBI as an institution; whether to grow your professional capabilities; or to provide assistance to the NBI”.

In her remarks, the Ambassador Kim said that, US will strongly support the Albanian investigators in the fight against corruption and organized crime.

“I met today with the first NBI investigators, who are completing training. Their job is important and difficult, but they will succeed. The people of Albania are counting on them; their families are proud of them, US will strongly support them in the fight against corruption and organized crime,” the US Ambassador to Albania, Yuri Kim said. //a.i/

Italian Embassy in Tirana said that the Deputy Director General of Public Security – Central Director of the Criminal Police, Prefect Vittorio Rizzi, and the Head of Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA) Maurizio Vallone Maurizio Vallone, SPAK Chief Arben Kraja, and NBI Chief Aida Hajnaj attended an event marking the start of the training programme.

“Italy has always had a close cooperation relationship with Albania, not simply because of its geographical proximity, but because of its common cultural roots and the presence of a large community of Albanian citizens in our country. The operative results delivered in security area best illustrate this cooperation. Albania actually ranks first among the non-EU member states both in terms of the number of people wanted by Italian authorities and arrested by Albanian authorities, as well as in terms of the active extraditions,” Italian Embassy said in a press statement.

The training programme launched today under the Pameca V project funded by the European Union and lead by Italy aims at further strengthening bilateral police and security cooperation between Albania and Italy, by making available Italy’s best national expertise on strategic issues like the fight against organized crime and trafficking in illicit drugs.

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According to SPAK, their training journey began with the selection process during October 2020 which included logical reasoning tests, physical test, essay composition, structured interview, and extensive figure verification.

“Following the completion of this first phase, we look forward to having the new NBI candidates successfully pursue further phases of training, which will include: “Training on Weapons, Security and Survival Skills”; Training with the Anti-Mafia Investigation Directorate (DIA); as well as Training with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),” SPAK said.

“Congratulations to the 28 newly appointed NBI investigators! These individuals have been tested and their training journey is well underway. US is proud to support these individuals as they continue into the next phases of their training and help move justice reform forward,” the US Embassy in Tirana said.

While for his part the EU Ambassador to Albania, Luigi Soreca said that,” Congratulations to the 28 NBI investigators appointed today after successfully passing recruitment and initial training. SPAK (SPO + NBI) can now count on the first group of specialised investigators in its fight against organised crime and corruption. Justice reform in Albania continues.”//a.i/

Having made it through applicant screening, tests of logical reasoning, physical fitness, and essay writing, an interview panel, and an extensive background check, they were selected to participate in Day One of training for Class One.

This elite group will lead the fight against corruption and organized crime in Albania.

The National Bureau of Investigations has opened another call for applications, seeking additional women and men from a broad range of professional backgrounds who can meet their high standards of mental agility and physical fitness.

The Special Verification Commission on Candidates’ Assets and Background completed in early April the verification of security conditions for candidates running for “Investigator” in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) where 28 out of 37 candidates met the security conditions. //a.i/