Democratic Party chairman Lulzim Basha addressed tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj with a request, asking him to make available all building permits that have been granted since 2015 to date.
Basha says construction is the sector where crime money is laundered in Albania, mainly in towers where the cost per square meter amounts to about 510 euros and sells at 3800-4000 euros per square meter.
"Millions of square meters of building permits are reported to have been granted in Tirana in recent years. Most companies under whose name building permits are obtained do not have the financial capacity to complete them. The balance sheet of companies showed that they have minimal income and no assets or loans that can be used to finance projects," Basha writes.
Full statement and request for veliaj:
Over 2 billion euros have been laundered in Albania's construction sector according to international reports.
The US State Department in its report states that Albania is "the leading destination of money laundering".
In 2020, the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GITOC) found that construction in Albania was a preferred way to launder money.
In 2021, the arrest of dozens of 'Ndrangheta members in Italy revealed their links to Albania's construction sector. Wiretaps as part of the investigation revealed that one of the suspects stated: "In the new skyscrapers, prices range around 3800-4000€ per square metre. Do you know what the real cost is? 510€."
Although SPAK launched a preliminary investigation in February 2021, there is still no indication of what is happening with this investigation.
Millions of square meters of building permits are reported to have been granted in Tirana in recent years. Most companies under whose name building permits are obtained do not have the financial capacity to complete them. The balance sheet of companies indicated that they have minimal income and no assets or loans that can be used to finance projects.
Where is this money coming from?
Who's hiding behind them?
Who and how do you secure building permits on behalf of these modest companies?
Whose money is being laundered with construction in Tirana?
The Democratic Party through its councillors in Tirana has demanded full data on building permits in the capital.
The Municipality of Tirana is obliged to make transparency about the permits granted, while SPAK should undertake an in-depth and unimpeded investigation so that Tirana is not an oasis of crime and corrupt politicians who launder money in the construction sector.