"They legalized properties to secure votes", Court makes decision for former Cadastre official

2026-03-31 12:03:13Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

"They legalized properties to secure votes", Court makes decision for

The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime has found citizen Ylli Baruti guilty of the criminal offense of "active corruption of persons exercising public functions", sentencing him to 1 year in prison after applying a summary trial.

It also decided to suspend the execution of the sentence and place him on probation for a period of 2 years.

According to the Special Prosecution Office, in collaboration with each other, citizens Dritan Stoka, Agim Osma, Alqi Hajdini and Ylli Baruti, have influenced the provision of permits for the legalization of unauthorized constructions for several citizens, according to intercepted telephone conversations.

Dritan Stoka, an official of the General Directorate of the Albanian Anti-Corruption Commission (ASAK), and Agim Osma, the head of Lagje e Re, Sauk, are suspected of having carried out active actions during the electoral campaign of the 2019 local elections, requesting from various persons the preparation of lists of persons who would participate in the elections, forcing them to vote or determine the method of voting, in exchange for benefits, such as staying at work or issuing legalization permits for voters' informal constructions in the Sauk area.

While Alqi Hajdini, a lawyer, and Ylli Baruti, in the role of a realtor, through the acceptance of irregular benefits, monetary rewards, have influenced the provision of legalization permits for illegal constructions of citizens GK, NS, EM and KD.

Announcement:

1. The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime has submitted to the Court the request with the subject matter: “Trial of the criminal case pertaining to criminal proceedings no. 100, of 2020, against the defendant Ylli Baruti, accused of committing the criminal offense “Active corruption of persons exercising public functions”, in collaboration, provided for by Article 224 of the Criminal Code, before the amendments made by Law no. 43, of 2021 and Article 25 of the
Criminal Code”.

2. The trial of this case was conducted under the rules of summary trial. At the end of the trial, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, with a panel composed of judges Engjëllushe Tahiri, Besmir Stroka and Etleva Deda, with decision no. 26, dated 30.03.2026, decided:

1. The guilty plea of ​​the defendant Ylli Baruti for the criminal offense of "Active corruption of persons exercising public functions" in collaboration, provided for by Article 244, 25 of the Criminal Code, before the amendments made by Law No. 43, of 2021, and based on this provision, his sentence to 1 year and 6 months of imprisonment.

2. In application of Article 406 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, reduction of 1/3 of the prison sentence and final sentencing of the defendant Ylli Baruti to 1 year of imprisonment.

3. In application of Article 59 of the Penal Code, the suspension of the execution of the decision to sentence the defendant Ylli Baruti to imprisonment and his placement on probation for a period of 2 years, double the sentence.

4. Defendant Ylli Baruti is ordered to maintain contact with the Local Probation Service Office and not to associate with convicted persons.

5. Investigative and judicial expenses borne by the defendant.

6. An appeal against the decision may be filed within 15 (fifteen) days at the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, Tirana, starting from the day after the communication of the reasoned decision of the court.


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