LATEST / Two STII inspectors arrested in Korçë. They took a bribe of 9 million lekë and 10 thousand dollars

They are accused of corruption committed in collaboration and accepting bribes to cover up an unlicensed commercial activity in Korçë.

On September 23, 2025, the Special First Instance Court approved SACS’s request to impose personal security measures on two individuals:

“Pre-trial detention” for O.J., an inspector at ISHTI, based on Article 238 of the Criminal Procedure Code;

“House arrest” for L.S., a former inspector at the same institution, based on Article 237 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The measures were executed on September 27, 2025, with the support of the General Directorate of State Police.

The criminal proceedings were registered on March 5, 2025, by SPAK, following a referral from the Korçë Prosecutor’s Office. Both officials are being investigated for the criminal offenses of “Active Corruption” and “Passive Corruption by Public Officials,” committed in collaboration – offenses provided for in Articles 244/2, 259/2, and 25 of the Penal Code.

According to investigations by the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), supported by special methods and documented evidence:

On November 1, 2021, O.J. and L.S. received bribes totaling 900,000 lek and 10,000 US dollars from a private entity with the initials J.S., who was conducting commercial activity in Korçë without legal documentation and technical license.

In exchange for the received amount, the two inspectors did not take administrative measures against the entity, allowing it to continue operating in violation of the law.

Justice authorities emphasize that investigations are ongoing and that legal and technical tools have been used to document cases of abuse of office. The Special Prosecutor’s Office declares its determination to punish cases of corruption in state institutions.

SACS Announcement:

The Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime, within the framework of investigations into a criminal case registered for “Active Corruption by Public Officials” and “Passive Corruption by Public Officials,” committed in collaboration, requested and received approval from the Special First Instance Court to impose personal security measures on two individuals. On September 23, 2025, by decision no. 95, the Special Court approved the request of the Special Prosecution for the imposition of personal security measures:

“Pre-trial detention” for O.J., an inspector at the State Technical and Industrial Inspectorate (ISHTI), based on Article 238 of the Criminal Procedure Code;

“House arrest” for L.S., a former inspector at ISHTI, based on Article 237 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The measures were executed on September 27, 2025, with the assistance of the General Directorate of State Police.

Criminal Proceedings

On March 5, 2025, the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime registered criminal proceedings no. 44 of 2025, based on the acts of criminal proceedings no. 385/1 of 2023 from the Korçë Prosecutor’s Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction, for the criminal offenses “Active Corruption by Public Officials” and “Passive Corruption by Public Officials,” committed in collaboration, provided under Articles 244, paragraph 2, 259, paragraph 2, and 25 of the Penal Code, which were sent to the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime.

Investigations and Findings

From proactive investigations and special investigative methods carried out by the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), it was found that on November 1, 2021, the suspects O.J. and L.S. received the amounts of 900,000 (nine hundred thousand) lek and 10,000 (ten thousand) US dollars.

Investigations proved that this amount was received by the two STII inspectors, assigned to inspect the private entity J.S. located in Korçë, with the purpose of not sanctioning the private entity J.S., which was conducting commercial activity without the necessary technical-legal documentation and appropriate license.

“KORÇA BOOM”