Albania’s top court allows SkyECC evidence in fight against organised crime

Tirana, December 30, 2024 - Albania’s Constitutional Court has delivered a landmark ruling, allowing evidence from the encrypted SkyECC communication platform to be used in organised crime cases.

The court unanimously rejected an appeal by businessman Pëllumb Gjoka, who had challenged the legality of his detention based on SkyECC data. Gjoka, a former gambling operator turned tourism investor, was arrested in 2023 during Operation “Metamorphosis” alongside two former officials. He is accused of being part of a criminal group involved in murder-for-hire schemes.

SkyECC, an encrypted messaging platform used by criminal networks, was dismantled by European law enforcement, leading to critical evidence being shared with Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK). Gjoka’s arrest followed the decryption of communications that allegedly linked him to criminal activities.

In addition to rejecting Gjoka’s appeal, the court’s decision establishes a precedent for Albanian courts to admit evidence obtained through SkyECC, deeming it compliant with constitutional and international legal standards.

Since the decryption of SkyECC, SPAK has taken down nine major criminal groups, arrested dozens of suspects, and made breakthroughs in several high-profile cases. The ruling is expected to further enhance Albania’s efforts to tackle corruption and organised crime, which have long plagued the country.