SPAK must focus on justice, not political optics

For former Tirana mayoral candidate Belind Kellici, the much-anticipated day when SPAK (Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime) would summon Mayor Erion Veliaj took an unexpected turn. On the same day, Kellici himself was summoned for questioning by SPAK. This coincidence was anything but accidental; it appeared to be a politically motivated move.

The exact nature of the investigation into Kellici remains unclear. However, according to his remarks to reporters upon leaving SPAK’s offices, the prosecutors questioned him extensively about his asset declarations, the validity of his high school diploma, and his higher education in the U.S.

What stands out is that SPAK’s decision to interrogate Kellici on the same day as Veliaj highlights its apparent attempt to maintain political balance when investigating public figures. While the source of this strategy is uncertain, such efforts to balance political optics undermine SPAK’s credibility. Instead of projecting impartiality, this approach makes the institution seem overly cautious and unnecessarily concerned with appearances.

If SPAK believes Veliaj’s alleged crimes warrant a 20-year prison sentence—a punishment more severe than those given to the heads of criminal organizations—it should pursue the investigation confidently and transparently. There is no need to initiate a simultaneous investigation into Kellici or rely on vague claims from “anonymous” informers to justify their actions.

The suggestion that Veliaj’s crimes are so intricate that they elude law enforcement agencies, including SPAK, prosecutors, and even the FBI, while being exposed by an “anonymous” source, raises questions about the process. SPAK does not need to compare the “weight” of Veliaj’s alleged crimes to Kellici’s or create the perception of equal treatment to justify its work.

SPAK’s pattern of investigating or sentencing a Socialist Party politician while simultaneously targeting a Democratic Party figure fosters the perception of political bias. This strategy risks achieving the opposite of its intent, eroding public trust by appearing to make politically motivated choices.

SPAK’s mission is not to maintain political balance but to deliver justice. If their investigations uncover evidence against 100 government officials without implicating anyone from the opposition, they should proceed without hesitation. Their credibility rests on presenting robust evidence, not on threatening or intimidating those under investigation or worrying about the political fallout of their actions. Justice should be their sole focus, free from political calculations.

Furthermore, SPAK’s apparent concern about protecting the “anonymous” informer who implicated Veliaj by simultaneously questioning Kellici signals a fear of public judgment. While their work will inevitably face scrutiny, SPAK’s prosecutors must not let this hinder their investigations. Those under investigation have the right to challenge accusations, but this should not justify efforts to maintain political balance at the expense of thorough and impartial investigations.

The notion that SPAK’s work must appease both political sides is flawed. Opposition figures, who for years have called for Veliaj’s arrest, were dissatisfied with his interrogation, especially when it coincided with Kellici’s. Similarly, those demanding accountability for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s alleged corruption and his role in the deaths of four protesters on January 21, 2011, are frustrated that he is being investigated only for drafting laws favoring his family.

Public opinion in Albania remains deeply divided along political lines. Whatever SPAK does, it will not satisfy all sides. Therefore, SPAK should prioritize evidence, the gravity of crimes, and the pursuit of justice over concerns about political optics. Only by focusing on facts and the importance of each case can SPAK truly fulfill its mandate and maintain its integrity.

The article initially appeared in Albanian titled: "Nuk është e nevojshme që SPAK të jetë i kujdesshëm politikisht"