Damages on the Librazhd–Pogradec road, Prosecutor’s Office launches investigation: Files containing tender documents seized

The reaction from the Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office came after an alarming situation arose yesterday, where, beyond the damage sustained on the road axis, landslides also threaten the railway line and the 110 KV high-voltage power line, increasing the risk of power outages and other chain consequences.

The Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation primarily against the company carrying out the works to expand Corridor VIII in the Dragostunjë area, where the massive landslide occurred.

The investigation will focus on the causes that led to the collapse of the road, the railway line, and the power lines, as well as further risks to the area.

In cooperation with the competent institutions, the Prosecutor’s Office will verify the legality of the permit for extracting inert materials from the Shkumbin River and its implementation.

The investigation covers the entire road from Peqin to Qukës, in the area under the jurisdiction of the Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office, due to the extensive use of the Shkumbin River in several segments.

“This criminal proceeding has been registered for the offenses of ‘Abuse of Office,’ ‘Violation of equality in tenders or public auctions,’ ‘Destruction of the road,’ and ‘Pollution of air, water, or soil,’ as provided respectively by Articles 248, 258, 155, and 201 of the Penal Code,” the statement said.

According to reports, since early Sunday morning, a group including representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office, the Scientific Police, and IKMT has begun on-site inspections of a company suspected of exploiting the river to extract inert materials.

The checks include documentation of the exploitation permit, approved coordinates of the interventions, and whether the allowed quantities of materials have been respected.

The reaction from the Elbasan Prosecutor’s Office came after an alarming situation arose yesterday, where, beyond the damage sustained on the road axis, landslides also threaten the railway line and the 110 KV high-voltage power line, increasing the risk of power outages and other chain consequences.

Two companies with political ties to Rama

The company “2T” was responsible for the maintenance of the Librazhd–Hotolisht axis. However, when landslides occurred a month ago, the situation was taken over by the company “ANK,” which is also building the fourth section of Corridor VIII, precisely the part where the collapse occurred. This company is therefore responsible for the chaos created today.

“ANK” is managed by brothers Ndue and Agim Kola and is known for such cases. A few months ago, the Korçë–Ersekë axis, also built by the same company, collapsed. Ndue Kola has been a PS (Socialist Party) deputy, and the company has received many tenders from Edi Rama, making it one of the government-affiliated companies. For the Librazhd–Elbasan axis, the Kola brothers shared 50 million euros with the Sako brothers of “2T.”

The company “ANK” was declared the winner of the procedure “Expansion of the Elbasan–Qafë–Thanë Road (Phase IV),” with a limit fund of the same amount, €23.6 million.

The company “2T” shpk, with main shareholder Artan Sako, brother of the Socialist mayor of Tepelena, Gramoz Sako, was declared the winner of the tender carried out by the Albanian Road Authority, “Expansion of the Elbasan–Qafë–Thanë Road (Phase III),” with a limit fund of €23.6 million.

In both tenders, six companies participated, half of which were disqualified.

In the first procedure, the company “2T” shpk won with an offer of 21.4 billion old lek, while the company “ANK” lost, submitting an offer of 22.8 billion old lek.

In the second procedure, the Kola family company submitted the lowest offer, around 21 billion old lek. Meanwhile, “2T” lost, submitting a higher offer of 22.8 billion old lek, exactly the losing offer of “ANK” in the first tender. This indicates possible coordination between them.

The company “2T” shpk, with owner on paper Artan Sako, was subject to surprise inspections by the BKH a few days ago as part of an investigation into corrupt practices in public works, primarily roads. In 2013, when the PS came to power, “2T” was a modest and almost unknown company. During the Socialist Party government, due to political connections and public functions of Artan Sako’s brother, Gramoz Sako, the company not only multiplied its annual turnover tenfold but became one of the main beneficiaries of public funds.

“KORÇA BOOM”